Bryce Underwood was the unanimous No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, but unlike most true freshmen, he’s expected to be thrown into the fire and start in Ann Arbor on Day 1.
Michigan fans have seen plenty of blue-chip recruits pass through Ann Arbor, but Underwood’s mix of talent, maturity, and readiness puts him in a category of his own — on par with the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams, and Kyler Murray.
True freshmen quarterbacks often arrive on campus needing a year or two to learn the playbook, adjust to the speed of the college game, and physically develop before they can seriously contend for a starting job.
But that’s not the case with Underwood.
Underwood Is Among The Most Physically Gifted QBs Ever
Physically, Underwood is as imposing as a quarterback that you’ll find in college football and already looks the part of a Big Ten starter.
He will be less than two weeks removed from his 18th birthday when he starts the season under center for the Wolverines against New Mexico on August 30th. Yet, he stands at an impressive 6-foot-4, 230 pounds and has the type of arm talent and athleticism that has NFL scouts salivating at the mouth.
And yet, his leadership, football IQ, and preparedness might be the qualities that Michigan fans should be most excited about in 2025.
Underwood Has More Experience Than Your Average Freshman QB
Underwood started as a true freshman for state powerhouse Belleville, leading the school to multiple state championships. He finished his high school career with a 50-4 overall record while winning Gatorade National Player of the Year as a junior.
Last season, he passed for over 2,500 yards, throwing 32 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, while adding 600 yards and 6 scores on the ground.
Overall, he made over 60 starts in high school, giving him far more big game experience than most quarterbacks have entering their first year of college football.
December Start Gives Underwood An Edge Over Most Freshmen
Underwood has been with the program since December, and thanks to some injuries, took all of the first-team reps during spring practice even though he was still in high school. He’s carried that momentum into the fall and has taken most of the reps with the first-team offense in training camp, which should help him avoid some of the growing pains that most freshmen experience in Year 1.
During spring practice, Underwood finished 12 of 26 for 187 yards, including an eye-opening 88-yard pass to tight end Jalen Hoffman on a reverse flea-flicker. He also added 19 rushing yards, showing off his versatility as a runner.
Head coach Sherrone Moore spoke about Underwood’s growth since arriving to Michigan during Big Ten Media Day:
“Yeah, I think he’s grown every single day since he’s been on campus. He’s been one of us since December, continues to do everything he can to be 1: The best teammate he could be, 2: The best student he could be, and then 3: to be the best football player he can be and quarterback that he could be for our football team.”
Why Underwood’s Preparedness Matters For Michigan
The Wolverines avoided a postseason ban as part of the NCAA sanctions for their sign-stealing scandal, which means they will have a chance to compete for a national championship in 2025 and beyond.
Michigan is just two years removed from winning the national title and the 2025 schedule could be setting up the Maize and Blue for a return to the College Football Playoff.
Aside from a date with No. 18-ranked Oklahoma in Week 2, the Wolverines aren’t set to face another squad ranked in the preseason top-25 polls until the season finale versus No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, the defending national champions.
Michigan quarterbacks threw more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12) last season but the Wolverines were still able to battle their way to an 8-5 record behind a strong running game and an elite defense. The Wolverines finished 129th in the country in passing yardage, so it won’t take much for Underwood to take this team over the top.
If Bryce Underwood is as advertised, Michigan isn’t just back, they’re built to become college football’s next true dynasty.
