Michigan football had a wild 2024 season and is now in desperate need of a savior—someone who can push the Wolverines back into the national title picture. That spotlight now falls on one young talent: Bryce Underwood.
The Wolverines’ newest quarterback and the nation’s top recruit have all eyes on him in Ann Arbor, Mich., as Michigan tries to turn the page and chase a long-awaited championship.
Bryce Underwood: Michigan’s Next Star Quarterback Ready for the Spotlight
Underwood’s journey to Michigan has already become the stuff of recruiting legend. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound quarterback from Belleville, Mich., was the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class.
Underwood’s high school résumé is staggering: a 50-4 record as a four-year starter, two state championships, and 12,919 all-purpose yards, including 11,488 passing yards and 179 total touchdowns. In his senior season alone, he threw for 2,509 yards and 32 touchdowns, adding over 600 rushing yards and six more scores.
#1 Recruit Bryce Underwood highlights.
Michigan’s starting QB next year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2RUxfg9dBZ
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 1, 2024
His recruitment was one of the biggest stories in college football. Underwood flipped from LSU to Michigan in November 2024, reportedly thanks in part to a $10.5 million NIL deal—one of the biggest ever. But for Underwood, it was about more than money. He wanted to stay home and lead Michigan back to the top.
Michigan’s offense was a mess last season. The Wolverines finished 131st in passing and cycled through three different quarterbacks. Now, Underwood is expected to start from Day 1 and give this offense the spark it’s been missing.
CSN spotlighted him as Michigan’s breakout player in 2025, with Mark Stolte labeling him as an “instant impact player,” as head coach Sherrone Moore and new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey turn the offense over to him.
Spring Game Glimpses and the Road Ahead
Underwood suited up for the spring game and gave fans a taste of what’s coming. He went 12-for-26 for 187 yards and threw a highlight-reel 88-yard touchdown off a reverse flea-flicker. He also made some freshman mistakes, with a few errant throws and penalties.
Moore praised Underwood’s calmness and big-play ability, saying the freshman “made some really good throws and had some things we need to clean up and get better at.”
The 2025 schedule plays in Michigan’s favor. The Wolverines avoid a few Big Ten powerhouses and return an experienced defense. That gives Underwood room to grow early without being forced into high-scoring shootouts every week.
With new receivers joining through the transfer portal and a fresh look at quarterback, even a slight boost in the passing game could push Michigan into playoff talk.
Underwood is more than just the most hyped recruit Michigan has landed in years — he’s the highest-rated recruit in the country across the last five cycles, with a 99.87 composite rating. If he can carry over his high school dominance, he could be the one to finally lead Michigan back to the national spotlight.
Underwood’s flip to Michigan wasn’t just a quarterback change — it marked a shift in the program’s identity. With a five-star talent, a stacked résumé, and the expectations of an entire fan base on his shoulders, Underwood has the tools to be the next big thing in college football.
If he lives up to the hype, the good news out of Ann Arbor won’t just be about recruiting wins — it’ll be about real wins and maybe even another shot at a national title.
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