Michigan Wolverines freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is potentially 10 days away from making his first collegiate start, kicking off a new era under center in Ann Arbor. But a little less than a year ago, he was wrapped up in one of the most high-profile recruitments of all-time, weighing a decision to either stick with […]
Michigan Wolverines freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is potentially 10 days away from making his first collegiate start, kicking off a new era under center in Ann Arbor.
But a little less than a year ago, he was wrapped up in one of the most high-profile recruitments of all-time, weighing a decision to either stick with his original commitment to LSU or flip to the hometown Wolverines, about 20 minutes from Ann Arbor.
Michigan pulled off the flip for Underwood in November, and a few days later, he was on an official visit to Michigan with the fans at the Big House in a frenzy during a 50-6 blowout win over Northwestern.
That’s when it felt like home for Underwood.
”I would say honestly, when Northwestern played Michigan last year that was like a few days after I committed [was when I felt welcome],” he told former linebacker Doug Cohen in a video posted by the Football Alumni of Michigan. “So went to the football game [a few days later]. I went to the game that Saturday night. It was nothing but love and so much support there.
“It really felt like a more welcoming experience. I’ve never felt a more welcoming experience than that.”
”Mainly, there’s a legacy at the University of Michigan now that we will punch you in the mouth,” Underwood said. “It sounds bad, but when we run the football, we keep running it until you stop it, no matter what. But things will come to a change sometimes soon, but the running will never come to a change.”
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore discussed Underwood’s infectious mentality during a press conference last week in Ann Arbor, and laid out what the expectations would be for any starting quarterback.
“He’s a quiet kid by nature, but when he knows you, he’ll talk,” Moore said. “He’s got an affectionate personality, great young man, obviously well documented with family. Jay and Beverly have done a great job raising him. Just comes to work every day, lunch pail, ready to go. Does everything the right way and attacks the right way. A pleasure to be around.
“For whoever the starting quarterback is, it’s to raise the level of the team. Be leaders of the offense. The quarterback has to be the captain of that room and that offense. Whoever that is, that’s what I want him to be.”
Earlier in Michigan’s fall camp, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey referred to the freshman as a “football junkie” who is advanced for his age. Underwood officially turned 18 years old on Tuesday.
“I think very, very advanced for his age from a standpoint of, I think he had good high school coaches,” Lindsey said. “I think he’s trained physically, obviously, he looks the part and all that. But really, I think the surprise for me, football knowledge is really high for a 17-year-old or a high school kid that just got here, pretty impressive.
“Now, learning our terminology and why we call certain things certain things and so forth, there’s been some learning process there. But the guy’s a football junkie, and really, he’s here early and stays late, and loves to study football, and this is a good place to do that.”
Category: General Sports
