Honestly, if you’re a Michigan fan, the last few months have felt like a fever dream. One minute you’re celebrating a top-ranked recruiting class, and the next, the head coach is gone under a cloud of scandal that felt like it belonged in a Netflix crime doc rather than a Big Ten locker room.
But through the smoke of Sherrone Moore’s firing and the chaotic transition to Kyle Whittingham, one name kept the fan base from collective cardiac arrest: Bryce Underwood.
The situation with the qb for michigan wolverines is, basically, the only thing keeping the lights on in Ann Arbor right now. When Moore was shown the door in December 2025 following those "untruthful statements" during the university's investigation, everyone expected a mass exodus. We saw it with Andrew Sprague and the brief panic over Zeke Berry.
Then Underwood posted "Runnit back" on Instagram.
That single post probably saved the 2026 season before the 2025 equipment was even packed away. You've got the number one recruit in the country, a kid who threw for over 11,000 yards in high school, deciding to stick around despite the fact that the guy who recruited him is currently facing home invasion charges. It’s wild.
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The Bryce Underwood Era: Expectation vs. Reality
Let's talk about what actually happened on the field last year.
People love to look at the 2025 Citrus Bowl and point at the three interceptions against Texas in the final eighteen minutes. Sure, a 41-27 loss isn't how you want to end a freshman campaign. But look at the context. Underwood was the fourth true freshman ever to start for Michigan. He threw for 2,428 yards and nine touchdowns while being asked to carry an offense that was, frankly, struggling to find its identity.
He’s 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, and runs a lot better than the "pocket passer" label suggests. He picked up 392 yards on the ground last year. That’s not just "scrambling"—that’s a weapon.
The 2025 spring game gave us a glimpse of the arm talent. That 88-yard bomb to Jalen Hoffman? That’s the kind of vertical threat Michigan hasn't had since... well, maybe ever.
Why the Depth Chart Looked Like a Ghost Town
If you look at the roster right now, it’s basically Bryce or bust.
The transfer portal wasn't just a door this winter; it was a floodgate. Jadyn Davis, who everyone thought was the "Quarterback of the Future" just two years ago, is gone. Davis Warren? Off to Stanford. Mikey Keene? Graduated.
It’s a bizarrely thin room for a program of this stature.
To fix this, Whittingham went out and grabbed Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi from Colorado State. It’s a move that makes sense on paper. You need someone who has actually taken a snap in a college game if Underwood’s helmet pops off or he tweaks an ankle. Fowler-Nicolosi lost his job at CSU, so he’s not coming in to challenge for the start, but he’s a veteran body in a room that currently feels like a high school homeroom.
Recruiting the Next Wave: Brady Smigiel and Tommy Carr
While the current qb for michigan wolverines is the Bryce Underwood show, the 2026 class actually looks remarkably stable.
Brady Smigiel is the big name here. He’s a 6-foot-5 kid from California who committed back in April 2025. Even with the coaching change, he seems locked in. He’s got that classic pro-style build that Whittingham liked at Utah, but with the modern mobility required to survive in the Big Ten.
Then there’s the local kid, Tommy Carr from Saline.
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- Brady Smigiel: Top 100 recruit, massive frame, huge volume producer in California.
- Tommy Carr: High upside, "long and lean" as the former staff described him, and carries that "coach's son" cerebral approach to the game.
It’s an interesting contrast. You have the superstar freshman in Underwood, the "safety net" transfer in Fowler-Nicolosi, and then two high-ceiling recruits coming in to sit and learn.
The Whittingham Factor: A New Philosophy?
The biggest question mark isn't the talent; it's the scheme.
Sherrone Moore’s offense was an extension of the Harbaugh "smashfest" with a few more modern wrinkles. Kyle Whittingham is a defensive mastermind, but his Utah teams were always defined by physical, efficient quarterback play. He’s brought in a new staff to handle the offensive side, and the early word is that they want to maximize Underwood’s ability to stress defenses horizontally.
We saw it in the recruitment of Salesi Moa. Moa is a "two-way" athlete from Utah who basically followed Whittingham to Michigan. He can play safety, but the word is Michigan wants him at wide receiver. They are surrounding Underwood with track speed. Travis Johnson and Jaylen Pile are already on campus, and adding Moa to that mix suggests a shift away from the "tight end heavy" sets of the past toward a more explosive, spread-adjacent look.
What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Situation
There's this narrative that Michigan is in "rebuilding mode" because of the Moore scandal.
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That’s a mistake.
When you have a returning starter at quarterback who was the #1 overall recruit, you aren't rebuilding. You're reloading. The defense still has pieces like T.J. Metcalf and Shamari Earls. The offensive line, while young, is being built "inside out" with guys like Andrew Babalola.
The real risk isn't a lack of talent. It's the depth.
If Underwood stays healthy, Michigan is a playoff contender in 2026. If he doesn't, you're asking a Colorado State backup or a true freshman to lead the winningest program in history through a schedule that includes the usual Big Ten gauntlet. It’s a tightrope walk.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the qb for michigan wolverines heading into fall camp, here is what you need to actually watch:
- The Completion Percentage: Underwood was at 60% last year. In this new system, he needs to be closer to 65% to keep the chains moving and stay out of 3rd-and-long situations.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Texas loss was ugly because of turnovers, but it was also ugly because of failed trips inside the 20. Watch how Whittingham uses Underwood’s legs in the red zone.
- The Backup Battle: Don't ignore the reports about Fowler-Nicolosi. If he can't clearly establish himself as the #2, the coaching staff might be forced to look at the portal again in the spring.
- Recruit Retention: Keep an eye on Brady Smigiel’s social media. As long as he stays committed, the long-term future of the position is secure.
The drama in Ann Arbor is far from over, but as long as #2 is taking the snaps, there's a reason to stay optimistic. The Underwood era is just getting started, and for all the chaos off the field, the talent on it is undeniable.
Next time you're at the Big House, don't just watch the ball. Watch how Underwood checks the line. That’s where you’ll see if he’s truly ready to turn the page on the Moore era and lead this team back to the top of the mountain.