As the college football season began, few could foresee Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood facing scrutiny. Yet, following the Wolverines’ season opener against Western Michigan, questions emerged. Michigan narrowly avoided a significant loss to the directional school after Underwood’s Hail Mary pass to wide receiver JJ Buchanan secured a 13-12 victory.
Underwood’s initial Hail Mary attempt overshot the end zone. Despite the clock showing zero, officials added one second after reviewing the play, allowing Underwood’s successful throw. While this pass saved Michigan’s game and potentially their season, it hasn’t secured Underwood’s position as QB1.
The Wolverines’ head coach, Kyle Whittingham, expressed this sentiment. Speaking after the game, Whittingham noted, “He’s our QB right now, it’s not something that’s infinite. At some point, we’ve got to turn a corner, and we’ve got to see improvement.” This statement addressed the team and staff’s need for growth, emphasizing weekly performance to ensure they’re playing at a winning level.
Underwood, a sophomore quarterback, joined the Wolverines with a notable NIL deal of $12 million, aligning with his status as the top quarterback recruit of the 2025 class. Bench decisions involving a quarterback earning $4 million yearly present challenges, yet Whittingham seems ready to deliver a message through the media.
In the game against the Broncos, Underwood threw for 170 yards, rushed for 47, scored both touchdowns, and threw one interception. His rookie statistics included 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
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