Bryce Underwood, the once-heralded golden child quarterback signee for Michigan, is staring down a career-defining test against #11 Oklahoma. After an absolutely underwhelming performance in the Wolverines’ opener, head coach Kyle Whittingham isn’t backing his guy like he should, with freshman Tommy Carr waiting in the wings. This is a massive moment for a kid who was supposed to be the undisputed future.
From Inevitable to Unreliable
When Underwood landed in Ann Arbor, everyone said he was inevitable. This kid was the #1 overall player in the Class of 2025, a hometown hero from Belleville, less than 20 miles from campus. He was rated a top 10 player even before his sophomore year of high school and led his team to two state championships. We all remember that lengthy commitment to LSU, and then the *massive* NIL contract, funded in part by billionaire Larry Ellison, that flipped him to Michigan. He was supposed to be a game-changer, the return to form for a program that had just won a national championship. Too big to fail, right? Well, that narrative is getting slammed right now. Michigan’s 13-12 squeaker against Western Michigan, which needed a controversial Hail Mary with one second left, felt more like a warning shot than a win. Whittingham was hesitant to back his quarterback after that one, even hinting the starting spot could “quickly open” if things did not improve. Underwood’s response to those comments? “There were comments about that? That’s cool. That’s cool. I didn’t see that. It’s cool.” You gotta be kidding me with that. This kid’s never faced real pressure before as a national figure, and it shows.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A QB in Crisis
Underwood flashed some moments during his first season, sure, but his production for such a highly-rated player was just lackluster. He completed barely 60% of his passes. Against ranked opponents, he finished a paltry 47% of his throws for just 4.8 yards per attempt, and Michigan lost all three of those games by double-digits. Whittingham and first-year offensive coordinator Jason Beck even brought in a new offense built to maximize his dual-threat ability. But the Western Michigan game was honestly one of the worst games of his career. He started strong, going five-of-five for 61 yards on the first scripted drive, even rushing for a touchdown. And yeah, he added 47 yards on that game-winning Hail Mary. But what about everything in between? He completed a pathetic 6-of-16 passes for 62 yards. Out of eight drives in the middle of that game, six ended in punts, including four dreaded three-and-outs. The other two? An interception and a fumble, both thanks to Underwood. Pro Football Focus even reported he was 2-of-8 throwing outside the numbers. The stats are brutal, and now he is up against #11 Oklahoma.
This Saturday against Oklahoma, everything is on the line for Bryce Underwood. With freshman Tommy Carr, who has never thrown a pass in a Michigan jersey, literally breathing down his neck, Underwood has to deliver. This is the moment to prove he’s the golden child everyone hyped him to be, or risk losing his starting job before the season really even begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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