Highly regarded prospect Bryce Underwood is poised to be announced as Michigan’s starting quarterback prior to the Wolverines’ season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 30, according to sources reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. An official declaration is anticipated on Monday.
When the Wolverines secured Underwood from LSU in November, it transformed into a matter of when, not if, he would see significant action during his freshman year. The response? Right away.
Underwood will become the fourth true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Michigan, and the first since Tate Forcier in 2009. The Belleville, Michigan, native outperformed Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and last year’s passing leader, Davis Warren, for the role.
|
Rick Leach |
1975 |
Wisconsin |
W 23-6 |
|
Chad Henne |
2004 |
Miami (OH) |
W 43-10 |
|
Tate Forcier |
2009 |
Western Michigan |
W 31-7 |
| Bryce Underwood | 2025 | New Mexico | TBD |
In contrast to the top-rated quarterback prospects from recent recruiting classes — DJ Lagway (2024), Arch Manning (2023) and Drew Allar (2022) — Underwood will not start his career playing behind an experienced player.
Underwood is familiar with starting as a freshman. He claimed the quarterback position at Belleville High School in 2021 and led the team to a 38-game winning streak, including the program’s first-ever undefeated season in 2022. At 6-foot-4 and 228 pounds, he possesses a physically commanding presence and what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described as «the perfect combination of size, arm strength, and agility.»
Bryce Underwood meeting expectations: Michigan’s ‘distinctive’ freshman QB making significant strides towards starting in 2025
Matt Zenitz
No matter how refined Underwood is in Week 1, he is expected to enhance the Wolverines’ passing attack. Michigan finished No. 130 out of 134 FBS teams last season in passing offense, averaging 129 yards per game. Only the three service academies surpassed Michigan for the fewest passing yards, which posted an 8-5 record under first-year coach Sherrone Moore.
Michigan’s QB competition concludes
It was not a certainty that Underwood would secure the starting position from Day 1. Keene’s December commitment provided the Wolverines with a credible second option after he accumulated 5,868 yards and 42 touchdowns in the previous two seasons at Fresno State.
Warren also showed some level of capability last season as he led Michigan to a 3-0 finish, which included wins over arch-rival Ohio State and a ReliaQuest Bowl victory against Alabama.
However, Michigan’s reported $10 million investment in Underwood, along with his significant potential, positioned the QB1 role as his to lose. Even before preseason practices commenced, Underwood was attracting attention, and that momentum continued throughout camp.
Having drawn comparisons to Cam Newton and Vince Young, Underwood is anticipated to bring the Wolverines back into national title contention ahead of his draft eligibility in 2028.
Nonetheless, recent trends indicate that relying on a true freshman quarterback might lead to challenges. Nebraska concluded last season with a 7-6 record featuring five-star freshman Dylan Raiola as its opening day starter. It was a tumultuous season that ended with Raiola throwing for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the Cornhuskers lost five of their last six regular-season contests. UCLA started the 2023 season with five-star recruit Dante Moore as its starting quarterback before making a midseason adjustment.
Bryce Underwood’s outlook for 2025
In addition to his considerable talent, Underwood may experience more immediate success than Raiola and Moore due to the support around him. The Wolverines are projected to boast an elite defense in 2025 and have significantly bolstered their offensive skill positions through transfers. Among this influx is former Alabama running back Justice Haynes, recognized as the top transfer running back of the 2025 cycle.
The schedule also appears favorable. Although the Wolverines will engage in six true away games, they will avoid powerhouse teams Penn State and Oregon and will not face Ohio State until the season’s final week.
Underwood’s first opportunity will against a New Mexico team projected to finish 11th in the Mountain West, as it embarks on a new journey under first-year coach Jason Eck. The stakes will rise significantly in Week 2 when Michigan heads to Oklahoma for a high-profile matchup.
After hosting Central Michigan in Week 3, the Wolverines will commence their Big Ten campaign at Nebraska in Week 4, broadcasted on CBS.
