Despite having yet to record a collegiate snap, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is being hailed as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten.
The Sporting News' Bill Bender revealed his rankings for the best quarterbacks in the conference on Wednesday, and while most eyes are on Penn State's Drew Allar and UCLA's Nico Iamaleava, the placement of Michigan's Underwood, an incoming freshman, could be classed as surprising.
However, second-year head coach Sherrone Moore will be entering this season with an arguably better quarterback room, according to Bender.
"Michigan's quarterbacks struggled last season under first-year coach Sherrone Moore. Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle combined for 12 TDs and 13 interceptions, and Warren suffered a torn ACL in the Reliaquest Bowl against Alabama," he said.
Underwood, at 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, will face competition for the starting role from Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, who started against Michigan for the Bulldogs in last year's season opener. He ranks sixth in Bender's rankings, below Allar and Iamaleava, Illinois' Luke Altmyer, Ohio State's freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, and Nebraska's Dylan Raiola.
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The Belleville, Michigan native famously flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan, in favor of a heavy NIL package. His four-year NIL deal with Michigan is reportedly worth $10.5 million, with some reports also claiming he could make up to $12 million with bonuses. The five-star recruit was the top high school quarterback in the class of 2025.
Michigan and Underwood will kick off their 2025 season at home on August 30 against New Mexico.
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