"I’m not afraid to go in and compete with anybody": 2026 class commit Brady Hart weighs in on competition with Bryce Underwood in the Michigan QB room

Four-star quarterback Brady Hart has remained committed to Michigan's 2026 class since June. The Wolverines were left without a quarterback in the 2025 class when Carter Smith decommitted last month.

However, Sherrone Moore's coaching staff pulled off a big recruiting win by flipping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU. Despite the presence of a "generational talent" like Underwood, Hart has always been optimistic about his potential in the QB room.

“It’s whatever is best for the program," Brady Hart told On3. "I’m not afraid to go in and compete with anybody."

Hart is enjoying his junior season at Cocoa High School in Indialantic, Florida. His commitment will remain a topic of discussion until he officially signs, but his relationship with Michigan’s coaching staff appears to be solid.

"They are like family now," Hart said. "I’m so comfortable with them. I really trust them and think highly of them."

Hart has also taken on a recruiting role for Michigan by targeting key prospects to join him in Ann Arbor. One standout target is his high school teammate and four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, whom Michigan offered last week.

---

Brady Hart opens up about the controversy surrounding Bryce Underwood's NIL deal

Bryce Underwood has reaffirmed his commitment to LSU multiple times, and his father has also clarified that the five-star quarterback would not be swayed by money. However, Underwood shocked the whole football community by ultimately flipping from the Tigers to Michigan, and a massive NIL deal played a role behind this move.

Ahead of Underwood's flip, several sources were speculating about the NIL deal Michigan was offering him, ranging from $10 to $13 million, and Brady Hart was asked by "Blue By Ninety" to weigh in on the situation on Thursday.

“It’s the new age of college football,” Hart said. “But I’ll never make a decision off money. It’s about the people and the coaching staff that can get me to where I want to go and help our team win.”

Now, as Underwood decided to stay home with his flip, it will be interesting to see Hart's competition in the quarterback room with him.

On3's EJ Holland earlier drew a parallel between Hart and former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy, who secured the championship for the Wolverines last season. Pressure will be on both Underwood and Hart to replicate the same level of success when both of them suit up for the Wolverines.