Sherrone Moore said in July he wouldn’t decide on his Michigan football starting quarterback solely based on performance in fall camp — how players rallied around the player would also factor.
That evidence is in and the decision has been made by the Wolverines’ second-year coach: Bryce Underwood, the five-star true freshman out of Belleville and nation’s No. 1 recruit, has been named the starting QB for the season opener Saturday, Aug. 30, at Michigan Stadium against New Mexico (7:30 p.m., NBC).
News of the decision first started to trickle out Sunday night before the program confirmed that Underwood is officially the team’s starting QB on social media around the same time Moore made the announcement in a press conference.
“He’s earned the opportunity, it was not given to him,” Moore said Monday, Aug. 25 inside Schembechler Hall. “Took the necessary steps, took ownership of his abilities, took ownership of the team and became a leader on the team − a guy that guys look to.
“Did things the right way. Used his skill, never tried to do too much, for a young guy very mature…he’s going to make mistakes, but that’s what we’re here for, coaches and players. We’re all going to support him as he goes on that journey and we go on that journey with him, but he’s earned that job.”
Jadyn Davis was announced as Underwood’s backup, beating out transfers Mikey Keene and Jake Garcia.
Underwood, who turned 18 on Aug. 19, beat out both upperclassmen transfers Mikey Keene (Fresno State), who has more than 2,000 snaps of experience, and Jake Garcia (East Carolina), who previously started for Miami (Florida) in the ACC and sophomore Jadyn Davis.
Underwood took the majority of the reps with the first team in practice in August, according to the Big Ten Network.
“Told them all yesterday and he was as calm as he always is,” Moore said. “I think his dad was a little more excited and emotional than Bryce was. He was very happy, but Bryce is a very even-keel kid, doesn’t get too high or too low.”
“The starting quarterback is not only the guy that’s making the throws and touching the football first, but he’s the guy they’re all looking to when adversity strikes,” Moore said. “He’s got to do a really good job in those moments.”
Why Bryce Underwood won Michigan starting QB job
Underwood’s physical gifts are rare. Standing 6 feet 4 and 228 pounds — up 15 pounds from when he enrolled in December — he’s about the size of a tight end and not that much smaller than an edge rusher.
Underwood was given an 11 p.m. curfew by the staff so he wasn’t overworking: There were nights in the spring where he would be in the facility beyond midnight either lifting or throwing.
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“Continues to do everything he can to be, one, the best teammate he can be, two, to be the best student he can be, and then, three, to be the best football player that he can be and quarterback that he can be for our football team,” Moore said of Underwood in July in Las Vegas. “He does everything the right way.”
Though U-M practices are not open to the media, the Free Press saw Underwood in a private workout this summer as a part of Quarterback University. Michigan State starter Aidan Chiles was there, as was highly-touted Detorit Cass Tech sophomore Donald Tabron II.
On that hot summer day in Detroit, Underwood showed the moxie of a leader, combined with the physical attributes of a dynamic player.
He ripped throws to the boundary, rolled out on play-action simulations and threw deep 65-yard deep balls on go-routes, once connecting with Wolverines junior receiver Fredrick Moore.
“Halfway through camp, figured. … ‘this guy might be the guy,'” Moore said. “First time we went to the stadium, he made a couple throws and I looked at Chip (Lindsey) and he just nodded at me, looked at coach Poggi and I was like ‘yeah, I think this is the guy.’
“But you wanted to see him do that every practice. … but have I seen a freshman quarterback like him? Not that I can imagine, not that I can think of. Only fourth freshman starting quarterback here, so not very many.”
Bryce Underwood has captain’s support
Underwood has largely been kept away from the media spotlight, but that will now change. New Mexico will be the appetizer, with a big test in Week 2 on the road in a SEC clash with Oklahoma, his coach’s alma mater, at night.
As Sherrone Moore said would happen, Underwood has the public support of teammates.
“Bryce is the real deal,” Max Bredeson, one of six captains, said. “Special person to be around.”
Underwood’s confidence is not a concern. Moore and Underwood together came up with the idea to room him with Bredeson, the “heartbeat of the team,” during fall camp, to observe and learn how a fifth-year senior operates on and off the field.
Underwood said in July, “70 days … they’ll see,” when asked what he wants to prove to college football.
“Just to shock the world,” Underwood said. “They’ve seen a lot of freshmen, but I feel like nobody’s seen a freshman like me.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bryce Underwood named Michigan football’s starting QB for opener vs New Mexico
Reporting by Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
