ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football may have named its starting quarterback on Sunday, but in reality the battle was wrapped up weeks ago.
Bryce Underwood, the five-star freshman and No. 1-ranked recruit in the county, had the Wolverines’ coaching staff buzzing at the mid-way point of training camp.
In fact, head coach Sherrone Moore told reporters on Monday, it was during the team’s first scrimmage inside Michigan Stadium that may have crystalized the decision.
“He made a couple throws and I looked to Chip (Lindsey) and he nodded to me and coach (Biff) Poggi, who was behind me,” Moore said. “I think this is the guy.”
Moore revealed the decision ahead of Michigan’s season opener against New Mexico on Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBC), ending a nine-month question as to whether Underwood would be ready to play this early. He’ll be the fourth true-freshman quarterback in Michigan history to start a game.
“He’s earned the opportunity; it was not given to him,” Moore said. “All the other quarterbacks had a really good camp as well.”
In reality, Michigan remains banged up at the quarterback position. Underwood’s primary competition this offseason, Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, continues to work his way back from an injury that sidelined him in the spring. And Davis Warren, Michigan’s primary starter in 2024, remains out recovering from an ACL injury.
That left redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis, who played just one snap last year; journeyman transfer Jake Garcia, who arrived at Michigan in mid-June; and lightly recruited true freshman Chase Herbstreit.
“Really thought Jadyn Davis has come along and taken th next steps and will be the (backup) behind him,” Moore said. “But Bryce has taken the next steps and took the position. Took ownership of his abilities and ownership of the team and became a leader of the team, a guy that guys look up to.”
Moore has long touted Underwood’s maturity and willingness to acclimate to the Michigan way of doing things, telling stories in the spring of having to kick the freshman out of Schembechler Hall for staying so late. The drive and determination are there, those who know Underwood well say, and he’s put his head down and remained quiet.
Meanwhile, the talent has flashed on the field — from tales of the 6-foot-4, 228-pound quarterback using his massive frame to elude trouble to Underwood placing a pass at just the right spot.
“He’s going to make mistakes — but that’s why we’re here, coaches and players,” Moore said. “We’re all here to support him as he goes on this journey and we go on this journey together.”
To help him along, Michigan hired a veteran offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey, a veteran quarterback coach whose resume includes several high-profile NFL names. He also has extensive experience calling an offense, allowing Lindsey to adapt the scheme to help bring Underwood along.
“You put him in adverse situations and he responds,” Moore said. “He never makes the same mistake twice.”
Underwood seems to have embraced the hype too, at least publicly. In separate interviews since arriving at Michigan, the freshman quarterback told national radio host Rich Eisen that he wanted to leave a legacy at Michigan that included winning two Heisman trophies and a national title and vowed to Big Ten Network that he would “shock the world” this season while proclaiming “nobody’s seen a freshman like me.”
Behind closed doors, Moore painted a very different picture of Underwood, who he said was “calm” and “even-keeled” during their sit-down meeting Sunday to deliver the news.
“I think his dad was a little more excited and emotional about it than Bryce was,” Moore said. “I think he’ll embrace it. I think he kind of likes it. And I think he’ll also turn it into fuel. He doesn’t really to get to a point where he makes it about himself.”
“I asked him a question, what’s his goal, it was just me and him, and he said “Do everything I can to help my team win.” That’s it. That’s all you want to hear.”
As for Saturday, it’s going to be an all-new environment for Underwood, set to make millions of dollars per year despite turning 18 years old last week.
The stakes are bigger. The stadium is louder. And when he takes the field, all eyes will be on him — along with a message of clarity from the Michigan head coach.
“Be him,” Moore said. “That’s it — be him. Don’t do too much. Just be yourself. Yourself is really good. That’s all we need you to do.”
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