No pressure, Bryce Underwood.
The No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class will have the weight of Michigan Football on his shoulders for the foreseeable future. After winning the National Championship in 2023, the Wolverines struggled without a J.J. McCarthy heir at quarterback, going 8-5 in 2024.
Now, Underwood will need a big true freshman campaign to get Michigan back to glory. It is a lot to ask of someone who graduated from high school just a few months ago. But, there is still plenty of faith in the Wolverines’ top prize.
Here is what Jack Tuttle, a former Michigan quarterback and a current assistant wide receivers coach for the program, had to say about Underwood, via On3:
“When I saw him for the first time — I think it was January, February — throw the ball … I’ve seen quite a few QBs throw the ball. I’ve seen Trevor Lawrence — I was at The Opening like 50 years ago with him and [former Georgia and Ohio State quarterback] Justin Fields. I’ve seen all those guys … that was my class. I’ve seen a lot of good football throwers, and I’ve been with Mike Penix at Indiana, obviously J.J. McCarthy here at Michigan.
“And I would say Bryce is at the top with the best of them, and probably throws it better than a lot of those guys — which is scary to say, to be honest, because he’s so young.”
Underwood, who turns 18 later this month, has not officially been named the starting quarterback yet. But, with graduate transfer Mikey Keene having dealt with an upper body injury this offseason, Underwood has the inside track to QB1 for Week 1.
This is also a crucial second year for head coach Sherrone Moore. He was given a longer leash with all of the turnover post-Championship, but there is optimism that this team can reach the College Football Playoff.
Will Moore trudge through his first several seasons like his predecessor, Jim Harbaugh, or can he experience national success earlier in his tenure?
Underwood’s play will go a long way in determining that path.