Bri One Three.

For decades, the University of Michigan has been synonymous with college football. Michigan has the winningest program in NCAA College Football history, features one of the most celebrated stadiums, and contributes to some of the sport’s most notable rivalries. Yet, when reflecting on Michigan, it is not generally recognized as a program dedicated to developing quarterback skills.

In the past 25 years, Michigan has had five quarterbacks drafted from their program, and only two were selected in the first five rounds. Their latest quarterback to be drafted was J.J. McCarthy, selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

During his final year with Michigan, McCarthy wrapped up the regular season undefeated and led the Wolverines to the program’s first national championship victory since 1997.

Following their national championship win, the Wolverines lost McCarthy and head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, alongside other key offensive and defensive pieces. Despite the personnel changes, the program maintained high expectations as it approached the 2024 college football season. However, without McCarthy to suit up in maize and blue, the quarterback situation was less than ideal.

With their depth chart thinning again to this year’s NFL draft, Michigan is expected to put the fate of their next season in the hands of second-year head coach Sherrone Moore, a newly hired offensive coordinator, and a freshman quarterback from Detroit.

So, what does the seventeen-year-old Bryce Underwood have to offer?

To put it simply: everything.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Underwood attended Belleville High School before enrolling at the University of Michigan in December 2024. He was the starting quarterback for the Tigers throughout his four-year tenure on their varsity team and joins the Wolverines as the most decorated quarterback recruit in its history.

As an underclassman, MaxPreps acknowledged Underwood’s skills on a national level, granting him Freshman of the Year in 2021 and Sophomore of the Year in 2022.

By the end of his senior year, the five-star recruit earned several prestigious honors, including Mr. Football (2024), Gatorade Player of the Year (2023, 2024), Associated Press Division 1-2 Player of the Year (2021, 2024), Michigan High School Football Player of the Year (2023, 2024), and Michigan’s MaxPreps Player of the Year (2022), all recognized at the state level.

He displayed elite arm strength and accuracy during his time with the Tigers, accumulating 11,488 passing yards and 152 touchdowns through the air, with only 19 interceptions. His talent for protecting the ball and anticipating his receivers’ movements prompted ESPN to designate him as the No.1 pocket-passing quarterback for the class of 2025.

Though he’s distinguished by his remarkable throwing capabilities and precision in tight coverages, Underwood’s comprehensive skill set prepares him to thrive as a dual-threat quarterback in college. He surpassed 500 rushing yards in both his sophomore and senior years, tallying over 1,400 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground throughout his high school career.

While he recorded fewer passing yards in his final year at Belleville, his completion percentage improved significantly, increasing by 6.9% from 64.9 to 71.8. This, along with an increase of 400 rushing yards between his junior and senior years, indicates an overall improved balance between his air and ground performances.

On the field, Underwood exhibits a high level of situational awareness, allowing him to make real-time adjustments to his gameplay seamlessly. The Tigers frequently relied on his swift defensive analysis to extend their season, and he delivered. Whether it involved deep passes, checkdowns, or using his legs to advance the ball, he consistently met challenges with poise, making each play seem instinctive.

Although Michigan has not set a definitive benchmark for quarterbacks, the program has a longstanding tradition of success, a characteristic that Underwood embodies as well.

After a loss in the third week of his freshman year, Underwood led the Tigers on a remarkable 38-game winning streak that included winning the Division 1 MHSAA State Championships in 2021 and 2022. The Tigers’ winning streak concluded during the 2023 state championship game, where they faced Southfield A&T and were defeated 36-32.

They finished their 2024 season with a loss in the regional quarterfinals, which ended their run of three consecutive appearances in the D1 state championship. Underwood leaves Belleville with an impressive record of 50-4, including 16 playoff victories.

In addition to playing a role in the overall success of the Wolverines, Underwood has the opportunity to depart in three to four years with some hardware.

As it currently stands, the program has not seen any quarterback receive the Davey O’Brien Award or the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, both indicative of on-field excellence. Underwood stands on the cusp of potentially making history as the first, but his ambitions reach even further. In a conversation with commentator Rich Eisen last month, Underwood expressed that his legacy at Michigan will feature multiple Heisman awards and at least one national title.

It may come across as hysterically optimistic for a freshman quarterback, who has yet to be officially designated as the starter, to pursue such lofty aspirations ahead of his first season.

However, my analysis points to the contrary.

Underwood is young, driven, and well-equipped to showcase his big talents at the Big House. It would be reckless to dismiss him.