Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his wife, Jolin Ellison (real name Keren Zhu), played a pivotal role in Michigan landing Bryce Underwood, the consensus No. 1 overall high school football player in the 2025 recruiting class. Jolin Ellison, a 33-year-old Michigan alumna, spearheaded the recruitment efforts, driven by her passion for Michigan athletics and a desire to see the program achieve national championships. Larry Ellison, worth over $200 billion, and his wife made a "significant donation" to Michigan's NIL efforts, predating the Underwood flip.
Underwood's commitment to Michigan involved a substantial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, estimated to be between $10 million and $12 million over four years from Michigan's Champions Circle collective. This dwarfed LSU's reported offer of $1.5 million annually. The recruitment also involved other prominent figures, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, who mentored Underwood through FaceTime calls, and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who initially pledged to contribute $3 million annually for a top quarterback recruit. Portnoy connected with Jolin Ellison, who expressed her commitment to supporting Michigan's athletic success.
Jolin Ellison's direct involvement was crucial, as she was quoted in an initial statement from Champions Circle (later revised to remove Larry Ellison's full name) expressing her excitement as a fan of the university and its athletics. Roger Ehrenberg, a Michigan backer, confirmed Jolin as a "super passionate" alumna critical to the recruitment effort. The involvement of such high-profile figures and the substantial NIL deal highlight the evolving landscape of college athletics, where ultra-wealthy donors are directly influencing recruiting outcomes.
