Excitement is building for the 2025 college football season, and in Ann Arbor, there’s one name on everyone’s mind — quarterback Bryce Underwood.
The true freshman and former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class is trending to start, thanks in large part to Fresno State transfer QB Mikey Keene being injured throughout spring ball. But, having never played a real down of college ball (unless you count Michigan’s spring game), it’s difficult to prognosticate exactly what Underwood might be should he get the starting nod on August 30.
The Athletic ranked all 136 projected starting quarterbacks and put them into tiers (subscription required). Underwood was listed at No. 50 overall and in tier four, falling into the category of ‘young, unproven starters with high potential.’ But, while The Athletic’s source raves about Underwood, it comes with a word of caution.
It’s difficult to temper the optimism, excitement and massive expectations surrounding Underwood, who was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025. “He’s the most talented QB I’ve ever watched,” said someone who evaluated Underwood thoroughly during the recruiting process. “Literally has it all.”
Underwood is a freak athlete with a huge arm and will take over the starting role at Michigan at some point. When will that be? And will the supporting cast be good enough around him?
“Really hope Michigan doesn’t screw it up putting him out there early without a good enough supporting cast,” that same source said. “Just because he’s that good doesn’t mean he needs to start Week 1.”
The hope in Ann Arbor is that the supporting cast will be superior to pundit expectations. The Wolverines did bring in former Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley as well as UMass wideout Anthony Simpson. There’s a lot of young, unproven talent at the position, as well as on the offensive line (though the line is more experienced, the question is about the quality of said experience).
What’s being counted out here, however, is Michigan’s style of play. The Wolverines likely won’t go into 2025 thinking that their freshman quarterback will have 30 or 40 attempts, as many teams might. Given that the maize and blue pride themselves on the running game, and have a duo of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, they’ll likely be more of the focal point of the offense — at least until Underwood gets his feet wet.
The word is that Keene is now healthy and will compete in fall camp with Underwood, and also Michigan’s late transfer addition, Jake Garcia. Fall camp is expected to start at the end of July with eyes on the August 30 season opener.
