The Michigan Wolverines have their starting quarterback. After a long battle throughout the offseason, Sherrone Moore announced that true freshman Bryce Underwood will lead the Wolverines this year. Bryce Underwood played his high school football at Belleville High School in Michigan. There, he was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2025. He was the […]
The Michigan Wolverines have their starting quarterback. After a long battle throughout the offseason, Sherrone Moore announced that true freshman Bryce Underwood will lead the Wolverines this year.
Bryce Underwood played his high school football at Belleville High School in Michigan. There, he was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2025. He was the top-ranked prospect overall and the top-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle. It’s no surprise that his recruitment was then tightly contested, and Michigan reportedly committed between $10 and $12 million to the quarterback over four years in NIL to get him to flip from LSU.
Now, Moore says that Underwood has earned the starting job. He also, notably, added that Jadyn Davis has walked away as the backup from the quarterback battle.
“Bryce Underwood will be our starting quarterback,” Sherrone Moore said. “I’ll confirm that. He’s earned the opportunity. It was not given to him. All the other quarterbacks had a really good camp as well. I really thought Jadyn Davis has come along and taken the next steps. He’ll be the two behind him. He’s done a really good job.”
The quarterback battle was widely thought to be between Bryce Underwood and veteran transfer Mikey Keene. So, Jadyn Davis landing the backup job is a bit of a surprise. Jake Garcia was also a part of the quarterback battle.
The hope, of course, is that Michigan won’t need to turn to its backup. At the same time, knowing that the coaching staff can be confident in that backup is important, particularly with how long the season has become.
“Bryce took the necessary steps and really took the position,” Moore said. “Took ownership of his abilities and took ownership of the team and became a leader on the team and a guy that guys look to. Just did the things the right way. Used his skill and never tried to do too much. For a young guy, very mature, beyond his years, and he’s still only 18 years old.”
Last season, the Wolverines and Moore ran into major issues at the quarterback position. Michigan would be forced to play three different quarterbacks, and all of them struggled. The Wolverines finished the season just 131st out of 134 teams in passing offense, averaging 129.1 passing yards per game. Only the service academies were behind Michigan. So, while Underwood can expect some growing pains, the team knows it needs to support him through the season.
“He’s going to make mistakes, but that’s what we’re here for. Coaches and players, we’re all going to support him as he goes on this journey.” Moore said. “And we go on this journey together, but he’s earned that job.”
Bryce Underwood is making some history too. He becomes just the fourth Michigan quarterback in history to start as a freshman. He joins Rick Leach, Chad Henne, and Tate Forcier. Most recently, Forcier did it in 2009.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood a ‘smooth operator’
The excitement at Michigan has been growing quickly for Bryce Underwood. That recently included Michigan co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula, who emphasized how well he’s played.
“Bryce keeps his cool,” Casula said. “Smooth operator. Just makes football look clean, efficient. He’s wonderfully gifted, but works really hard at it. He’s kinda got a calming presence about him, which he’s 17. You don’t really know what to expect at 17 years old. Smooth operator, and he’s got all the tools and can make all the throws.”
Michigan opens the season against the New Mexico Lobos at home on August 30th. After that, the Wolverines and Bryce Underwood are going to have a road test against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Category: General Sports
