Bryce Underwood named Michigan starting quarterback for 2025. The five-star freshman QB leads the Wolverines into a new era in Ann Arbor.

The freshman quarterback laughed off a viral comment calling him fat online.

The Wolverines' wideout has reasons for optimism for Bryce Underwood.

Ann Arbor – Bryce Underwood is the most celebrated recruit in Michigan football history, the top prize in the country, a tantalizing blend of athleticism and savvy. If he’s not the Wolverines’ starting quarterback on day one, it’d be a mild surprise, and likely would change by day two or three. At 6-4, 208 pounds, the freshman from Belleville doesn’t look like a 17-year-old. And then you watch his first snaps and you’re reminded, yes, he’s 17. This is the perspective that will be needed, but in the ratcheting business of college football, it’s rarely granted. Underwood’s play was uneven in UM’s spring game in Michigan Stadium Saturday before an estimated crowd of about 40,000. He zipped a few nice throws, fired a few more high, and scrambled for a nifty 17-yard gain. More: Shades of title 'D'? Michigan confident elite-level defense will continue in 2025 More: QB Bryce Underwood ends Michigan spring game, up-and-down day with a bang Nothing spectacular, nothing overly concerning. Quarterbacks couldn’t be touched in the scrimmage but Underwood would’ve been sacked a couple times, and the offense was penalty-prone. He finished 12-for-26 for 187 yards with one interception and a touchdown — an 88-yard pass to junior tight end Jalen Hoffman on a double-reverse flea-flicker on the final play of the day. The first impression after the Blue beat the Maize 17-0 was the standard one: UM’s defense will be staunch again, with a load of edge rushers and linebackers. Second impression: UM’s offense has more potential than a year ago, but if Underwood is to make an immediate impact, the line needs work. As always with young quarterbacks, the timeline is profoundly affected by the offensive line. Playing it safe Underwood took every snap for the Blue, while sophomore Jadyn Davis (6-for-17, two interceptions) ran the Maize team. Transfer quarterback Mikey Keene was out with an injury, but his experience – four full seasons at Fresno State – will keep him in the mix. Moore said the quarterback competition will continue into fall camp, and his decision on the starter against New Mexico Aug. 30 perhaps will go down to game week. There isn’t a ton of time to delay, as the Wolverines face Oklahoma and Nebraska on the road in the first month. “Did well,” Sherrone Moore said of Underwood. “He made some really good throws and had some things that we got to clean up and get better at. But he's a continued work in progress, and he's working his tail off to do it.” Moore isn’t intentionally tamping down expectations, just dutifully cautious. Underwood wasn’t made available to the media afterward, but his reputation and words preceded him. Last week he gifted a new Chevrolet Equinox to Mychal Darty, who works security at Belleville High and has been a mentor. At the NIL event, Underwood told the Detroit News his best football attributes are being “an honest-to-God game-changer." It sounded cockier than he appears. He carries more pressure than No. 1 recruits of the past, scheduled to make a reported $10-15 million for three years at UM. Money has changed the landscape, but it shouldn’t automatically change the person. According to teammates, Underwood is fitting in like a freshman should, on a team that isn’t interested in repeating last season’s 8-5 slog. “I would say right when he got here for bowl game prep, Bryce has been focused,” said Jordan Marshall, the star of UM’s 19-13 bowl victory over Alabama. “From that day on, we can trust this kid. You can tell he has a sense of maturity, and he doesn’t feed into the pressure. He’s secure with who he is, building relationships with everyone.” It's a tricky transition on several levels. The Wolverines don’t get a trial period of five home games at the start, like last season. There’s a new offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey, hired from North Carolina, and a stated emphasis on more deep passing with improvement at receiver. Of course, the Wolverines will lean heavily on the run, and have a potentially dynamic tandem in Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes. But with only two or three starters set on the line and an opening at left tackle (five-star freshman Andrew Babalola?), the quarterbacks might have to improvise. It’s something Underwood did very well at Belleville, where he was a four-year starter who led the Tigers to a 50-4 record. He’s a classic dual-threat guy with a strong arm, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the country, and his teammates have seen plenty to love, from dazzling runs to his low-key demeanor. “I think he’s a generational athlete, he’s a freak,” Marshall said. “He can do anything he puts his mind to. You want to have that swagger at quarterback, I appreciate having someone like that. … Off the field, just talking to him, there’s something about the kid. To be around a guy that gives back, loves his teammates, puts his team over himself, you couldn’t ask for anything better.” 'No big head' Touted quarterbacks are required to have swagger, and sometimes to advertise it. Underwood said on Rich Eisen’s podcast last month that he hopes to win "a couple of Heismans and at least one natty." His words belie his humility, according to teammates. “He’s really humble, no big head, ego, nothing like that,” Hoffman said. “Every day he comes in to work, he’s not riding off his success in high school. I’d say he’s really trying to be one of the top players in college football, but he fits right in with everyone. Great guy, love hanging out with him.” Players joke they can’t believe he’s only 17 (he turns 18 in August). The defense should be UM’s strength, and it reportedly dominated in spring practices. But containing Underwood has been a challenge. “Bryce is somebody that has a high IQ for the game,” linebacker Ernest Hausmann said. “Great athlete, so you always got to be on your toes. He has that football savvy to him, understanding where people are supposed to be.” By customary timetables, Underwood is supposed to be finishing up high school, perhaps attending his prom. In that regard, he’s ahead of schedule, enrolling at UM early and practicing during the bowl week last December. His recruitment was a blur, committing to LSU before UM ramped up its pursuit with NIL money. It’d be easy to get lost in the swirl, but UM is determined to keep the focus on the competition, and Davis was highly touted just two years ago. The controlled scrimmage featured basic play-calling, and the early signs were unremarkable. The real early signs, on the practice field and in the locker room, are what excite the Wolverines. “Probably the biggest thing is just him knowing where he's going,” Moore said. “With a guy that's so highly ranked, it’d be easy to deflect and not want to be a part of the team. They've embraced him like they embrace everybody else, and he's embraced the team.” For Underwood, the next step will be embracing expectations and competition as the season nears. He knows what’s coming, and he should have the time and tools to grasp it. bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com @bobwojnowski This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wojo: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood has tons of talent, needs time and a line

Michigan Wolverines fans packed Michigan Stadium this Saturday for the annual Spring Game, and while the Blue team secured a 17-0 victory over the Maize, the

Ann Arbor — No one expected quarterback Bryce Underwood to be perfect in his Michigan Stadium debut, and he wasn’t. But he showed signs of why he was the nation’s No. 1 recruit and what the Michigan offense wants to look like this fall. Underwood was 12 of 26 passing for 187 yards and led the Blue team to a 17-0 victory over the Maize in Saturday’s spring game. It ended with the biggest highlight of the game, a reverse flea-flicker from Underwood to tight end Jalen Hoffman for an 88-yard score. Underwood made some strong throws and had a long run, but he was picked off by defensive back Tevis Metcalf, had two delay-of-game penalties, took a sack on the game’s opening play and recovered his own fumble. Underwood, the freshman from Belleville High School, has been competing with Maize team quarterback Jadyn Davis this spring, while Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene was out with an unspecified injury. Michigan estimated the attendance at nearly 45,000 and it might not be a stretch to suggest that all eyes were on Underwood, not to mention an unsettled offensive line. “He did well,” second-year head coach Sherrone Moore said of Underwood. “Made some really good throws. Had some things to clean up and get better. He’s a work in progress and he’s working his tail off to do it.” Michigan opens the season at home against New Mexico on Aug. 30. Underwood, Davis and Keene will compete in preseason camp for the starting job but Moore said it’s possible Michigan, which will see Chase Herbstreit join the room this fall, will explore options in the transfer portal. "It's a battle that's going to go all the way through fall camp," Moore said of the quarterbacks. Moore pointed out that Keene has played 2,228 career snaps in college, and the coaches didn’t feel the need to rush him back from the injury suffered before the start of spring practice. “He’s doing well now. He’s throwing. He’s in a good place,” Moore said of Keene. “Didn’t feel like pushing it. He’s OK to miss the spring.” This was also the first opportunity to see running back Justice Haynes, a transfer from Alabama who has “home run” speed, Moore said. He and Jordan Marshall lead that position, while Micah Ka’apana and Bryson Kuzdzal saw significant playing time in the spring game. Haynes had six carries for 51 yards, including a 26-yard run. “We’ve got a good room,” Moore said of the running backs, who recently saw Ben Hall decide to transfer. Offensive players have said all spring the offense will look different this fall under the direction of Chip Lindsey, Michigan’s new offensive coordinator. He’s seeking balance and getting the receivers more involved — a big addition was big-body Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley — and making downfield throws to challenge defenses. “This offense is gonna be explosive,” Marshall said. “You seen us take some shots today. Obviously, the playbook’s watered down (in the spring game), but we’re gonna take some shots and Donaven, he’s a beast.” Marshall, who will be a sophomore this fall, said the balance will be an assist to the running backs. “It’s great knowing we’re not gonna have to run into 10-, eight-, nine-people boxes and we can spread them out,” Marshall said.   Moore coined the “smash” approach when he was Michigan’s offensive line coach. That means a physical offensive line and rushing attack, and while running the ball is the Wolverines’ bread and butter, they were woefully underwhelming in the pass game last season. That was a byproduct of the quarterback play and lackluster receivers. Now, they feel like they’ve got the right combination. “(That’s) part of the reason I brought Chip in,” Moore said, smiling. “It’s been fun. We’ve created some shots and created some different pass concepts. The offense isn’t just put together right now. (There’s) the whole summer to evaluate and see and do what we need to do to go win the game. It’s been a fun spring. The receivers have gotten better, which has helped.” While there has been considerable praise for Michigan’s defensive line and its depth, the jury is still out on the offensive line. The line is the most critical aspect of getting the Michigan offense clicking, no matter who’s the quarterback. “I think the biggest piece is that they get challenged by that defensive line every day, and I think our D-line is going to be really deep,” Moore said. “It’s always different in the spring game because everybody is split up and there are different combinations of people — ones playing with twos, threes playing with twos — so I don’t really get caught up in that. But I’ve seen them progress. I think Coach (Grant) Newsome has done an unbelievable job with that group, and they really fought every practice. You can see them getting better and better.” Moore said that right now, center Greg Crippen, guard Gio El-Hadi and tackle Andrew Sprague likely have starting spots. “We’ve been circulating guys through on purpose to know we’re going to go into fall camp and have a starting five at some point, so there’s not really a solid starting five,” Moore said, before listing those three. “Then there’s a rotation. It could be Brady Norton, Andrew Babalola, Nathan Efobi. It could be Evan Link in different spots. It’s going to be fun to watch these guys in the summertime and watch them through fall camp to see who the starting five are.” achengelis@detroitnews.com @chengelis This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: QB Bryce Underwood ends Michigan spring game with a bang in Big House debut

As the Michigan Wolverines prepare for their highly anticipated annual spring game, fans are buzzing with excitement about what to expect from their favorite

Belleville — As Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood continues to make strides during spring football practice, he remains close to his high school community at Belleville, and wants to give back to those who were always there for him. During a recent NIL event on the grounds of Belleville High’s football field, Underwood, the nation’s No. 1 high school prospect, declared to The Detroit News that his best attributes are leading and being an “an honest-to-God game-changer." Underwood also wants to be a life-changer for people who were there early on for him and changed his life in various ways, setting him on a path toward success. He is now affiliated with Feldman Automotive Group and on a recent Sunday, along with partner Blue by Ninety, Underwood was able to provide a special gift to a special person in his life. He gifted Mychal Darty, who works security at Belleville High and has been a mentor to Underwood starting just before ninth grade, with a new Chevrolet Equinox. After the two walked off the field together, Darty had stepped into the passenger side of the car with Underwood in the driver’s seat. Darty thought he was just part of something for the automotive group’s advertising, and then Underwood handed him the keys and told him it was now his car. Darty was in disbelief and finally accepted the keys and hugged Underwood. “Man, I love you,” Darty told him. The two met the summer before Underwood entered ninth grade. “I liked how he approached things,” Underwood said of Darty. “He came off as a genuine person. He wanted to talk to me and pick my brain.” Darty said he saw a “good kid” in Underwood. “This was before I had ever seen him throw a football,” Darty said. “He had a good head on his shoulders and from there our relationship grew.” That Darty was drawn to Underwood not knowing he was a football star also appealed to the young quarterback. “Always someone can like you because of what you can do for them or what you do as person,” Underwood said. “Him not even knowing who I am, it was a big thing to me.” So much so, Underwood wanted to gift his mentor a car. “I was shocked, completely shocked,” Darty said. “You never do things to be rewarded with things like this. Seeing Bryce go to the next level, that’s the reward. But something like this, it takes it to the next level. This is a story I will always talk about.” Feldman Automotive has had partnerships with other Michigan players since NIL launched, including Will Johnson and Colston Loveland, both awaiting the upcoming NFL Draft. Cape Robinson of Feldman Automotive said when Underwood, a new partner this year, approached them about gifting the car, it was an easy decision. “We wanted to make sure it happened,” Robinson said. “It’s beautiful for the community to give back.” Underwood is an early enrollee freshman at Michigan and was able to join the team for bowl game practices late last December. He said he has acclimated to the college life and game. “I’ve been enjoying the process,” he said. “Picked up everything. Just getting into school and everything, getting great grades my parents stressed me to have.” The hype surrounding him has been non-stop. Teammates and coaches have spoken highly of Underwood’s talent and work ethic. He said the hype from fans is something he can handle. “It’s just the pressure that came with my arm,” Underwood said. “I can’t stop that.” Darty, from those early days at Belleville, said he imparted some simple advice to Underwood. “Just to be himself,” Darty said. “As long as he stays true to who he is, he’s gonna be great, no matter what aspect of life.” Underwood, standing beside Darty, nodded and said that was the best advice he’s received from his mentor. Even with so much going on around him, he said it is what he always falls back on.  “I know me best, and that’s what’s going to show every time,” Underwood said. achengelis@detroitnews.com @chengelis This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan QB Bryce Underwood gifts car to mentor who has helped him on road to success

Ann Arbor — Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, standing just outside the Belleville High football field where he played and honed his skills to become the nation’s top recruit, did not have to give the question much thought before he answered. Underwood, an early enrollee freshman at Michigan, is in the midst of spring practice competing to start at quarterback, a job that could very well be his this fall. Sophomore Jadyn Davis is in the mix, and Michigan also added Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, who has loads of experience but has not been practicing because of an undisclosed injury. After tossing a few footballs during an NIL event late afternoon Sunday, Underwood was asked what his best attributes are as a quarterback. “What I feel like I do best, I lead and I’m an honest-to-God game-changer,” Underwood said in a interview Sunday with The Detroit News. Anyone who has listened to Underwood's interviews has heard his candor and confidence. In a recent one-on-one with Rich Eisen, Underwood said he plans to win “a couple Heismans and at least one natty” during his Michigan career. So could it be cockiness? Maybe, but his coaches and teammates have said he’s carried himself not as a hyped diva quarterback, but as a guy who wants to learn. He listens, ask questions, they said, and puts in the work. “I love his approach,” first-year Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey told reporters before the start of spring practice. “He's all business. He loves football, that's the most important thing. And he really wants to be the best player he can be. He wants people to push him. He's a team-first guy. If you ask the older guys on our team right now, I think they would tell you that they love his approach.” Underwood said and gets in extra work after practices, either throwing more with receivers or watching film. Asked if he feels a step closer to being the starter this fall, Underwood again didn't hesitate. “Of course,” he said. “Just being myself, honestly. Just working as hard as I can.” There is a lot new at major spots for Michigan this fall, including Underwood and Lindsey. Lindsey has been an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at a number of programs, most recently North Carolina where he helped developed Drake Maye into the No. 3 overall NFL pick in the 2024 draft. “It’s been amazing,” Underwood said of working with Lindsey. “He’s a great guy overall. He’s great for the quarterbacks and the offense as a whole. What we feel like we need and feel like we want, he’s willing to provide that.” Last week, receiver Fredrick Moore said the offense has added “a lot of new stuff” hinting that it will be more wide open with a vertical threat the Wolverines lacked last season. Donaven McCulley, a 6-foot-5 receiver who transferred from Indiana and is expected to be a primary target this fall, said last week that Lindsey’s “vision” for the offense is to be fast-paced with a down-field throwing attack. Last season, Michigan ranked 129th nationally in offense (282.2 yards) and 130th in passing (129.1). “There’s a lot of changes happening,” Underwood said, “and I’m excited to showcase them when we get out there Aug. 30 (in the season opener against New Mexico).” Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy said Monday that Underwood, like the young receivers, are learning plenty this spring practice and noted the promise they all share. "You see the physical talent, ball placement, arm strength, mobility, you see all that stuff and you get excited because you know what can be once he gets a full grasp of the offense,” Bellamy said of Underwood.   Bellamy went after bigger receivers in recruiting and the portal because Michigan lacked that last season and didn’t have an advantage in one-on-one matchups. Now, with a strong-armed quarterback like Underwood and bigger receivers like McCulley, the Wolverines have a greater chance to win those 50-50 balls. “The ball in the air is ours; that's the mentality we have,” Bellamy said. “When you're starting to roll out 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 (receivers), most of those guys have basketball backgrounds. Ball in the air is rebounds to them, boxing people out, using their big body. So, that's something we did not have last year, for the most part, and we do now. We feel good about the additions that we made to address that. But to me, it takes stress off the play caller and the quarterbacks." McCulley has been developing a chemistry with Underwood. "When he gets out of the pocket, I know he's looking to throw the ball downfield,” McCulley said. “So I'm always going to be where he needs me to be, and that's what I told him.” Underwood is a right-hander, but was throwing left-handed to mere mortals on the field at Belleville High on Sunday. For the record, he said he can throw 30 yards with accuracy with his left arm. He was asked to share the best play he’s made during spring practice — Michigan will have a public spring game at Michigan Stadium on April 19 — and he took some time to think. “There have been a couple touchdowns I’ve thrown,” Underwood said, smiling while not offering details of those plays. Practices have been his opportunity to learn, build chemistry with his teammates and impress. “I’ve been doing what I’m supposed to do,” he said. Just another step toward being the game changer he plans to be. achengelis@detroitnews.com @chengelis This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood: '... I'm an honest-to-God game-changer'