Opinion: Evaluating quarterback recruits for Ohio State and Michigan, Tavien St. Clair versus Bryce Underwood

Sophia Wohl
Thu, 12 Dec 2024 05:42:28 +0000
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(Left) Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair chats on the sideline before the game against Western Michigan Sept. 9. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor (Right) Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore pumps up the crowd with recruit Bryce Underwood, left, quarterback from Belleville High School during a timeout in the second half. Michigan vs Iowa at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. on December 7, 2024. Michigan wins, 85-83. Credit: Robin Buckson/The Detroit News via TNS

Ohio State’s future at quarterback looks bright, as the program has secured a top-ranked commit from the 2025 recruiting class.

Tavien St. Clair — a Bellefontaine, Ohio, native and the No. 3 overall player among 2025’s recruits, according to 247 Sports — passed on offers from schools such as LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State and Michigan to become a Buckeye.

Ohio State’s rival Wolverines, on the other hand, were in a much murkier situation.

Bryce Underwood, a Michigan-born quarterback and the No. 1 player in the 2025 class, originally committed to LSU Jan. 6, 2024, leaving Michigan with a question mark at the crucial position.

But in the new age of college football, the Wolverines offered Underwood a $10.5 million Name, Image and Likeness deal he seemingly couldn’t resist, leading to his Nov. 21 flip from LSU to Michigan, according to the New York Post.

This means two high-profile quarterbacks will likely square off once a year for “The Game,” and fans of both teams are excited about the potentially legendary contests that lie ahead.

So, how do St. Clair and Underwood stack up on the field?

St. Clair stands at 6-foot-4, demonstrating exceptional arm strength and accuracy on the field.?

He finished this past season at Bellefontaine High School having completed 68.3% of his passes, while also covering 2,536 yards and notching 29 touchdowns. In addition, St. Clair recorded 254 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.?

Though St. Clair operates on a more disciplined level of accuracy, Michigan’s own Underwood — who stands at 6-foot-3 — displays more physicality.

Throughout his high school career, Underwood has achieved a 65% pass completion percentage. In his senior season at Belleville High School, Underwood accounted for 125 of 174 passes, executing a 71.8% completion rate, 2,321 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns with an average of 211 pass yards per game.?

With his strong arm and innate playmaking ability, Underwood could bring Michigan back to the top of the college football world.?

The question that remains to be answered, however, is if Underwood will start for the Wolverines as a freshman. Notably, the Buckeyes are expected to hand the starting job to current freshman Julian Sayin.

Ultimately, it’s clear that St. Clair and Underwood possess distinct and impressive skill sets. And despite St. Clair’s arm strength and accuracy, he’s no match for Underwood’s physical dominance.?

Underwood’s senior-year performance was highlighted by a 10-2 season and multiple individual awards, including Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year.?

Not to mention, Underwood started all four years during his time at Belleville, compiling a 50-4 record and securing two Division 1 MHSAA State Championships during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Though both quarterbacks will likely provide college football fans with entertaining rivalry games in seasons to come, there’s a reason Underwood is the No. 1 player in 2025, with St. Clair trailing close behind.