If you walk into a bar anywhere near the Big House right now, you’re going to hear one name over and over again. Honestly, it’s basically reached a fever pitch. People aren’t just asking about the depth chart; they’re asking if the savior has finally arrived.
So, who is Michigan's QB for the 2026 season? It’s Bryce Underwood.
He’s not just a name on a roster. He is the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country, a local hero from Belleville who flipped from LSU to Michigan in a move that felt like a tectonic shift in the college football landscape. After a freshman year in 2025 that was equal parts "wow" and "wait, what happened there?", he is officially the guy. New head coach Kyle Whittingham—who took over after the Sherrone Moore era ended—made keeping Underwood his absolute top priority.
And he did it. Underwood isn't going anywhere.
The Bryce Underwood Era: Expectation vs. Reality
Last season was a rollercoaster. Let's be real. When Underwood won the starting job as a true freshman, beating out senior Mikey Keene and Jadyn Davis, the hype was through the roof. He was the first true freshman to start Week 1 for the Wolverines since Tate Forcier in 2009.
The stats tell half the story.
- Passing Yards: 2,428
- Touchdowns: 11 passing, 6 rushing
- Interceptions: 9
- Rushing Yards: 392
But numbers are kinda dry, right? If you watched the games, you saw the "it" factor. He’s 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, and has a literal cannon for an arm. But you also saw the freshman mistakes. He struggled against ranked opponents and his mechanics looked a little shaky by November. Coach Whittingham actually touched on this recently, noting that Underwood basically didn't have a dedicated quarterback coach working with him daily last year. That’s wild for a kid who was only 17 when the season started.
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Whittingham is changing that. He’s brought in Jason Beck as offensive coordinator and Koy Detmer Jr. specifically to develop Underwood. The goal is simple: turn the raw, dual-threat phenom into a polished pro-style assassin.
The 2026 Depth Chart: Who Is Behind Him?
The quarterback room looks a lot different than it did a year ago. With Mikey Keene and Davis Warren moving on, the secondary options are a mix of young talent and intriguing transfers.
- Bryce Underwood (Sophomore): The undisputed starter.
- Colin Hurley (Redshirt Sophomore): A massive addition from the transfer portal. Hurley comes over from LSU (funny how that works out) where he didn't see game action but was a highly-rated four-star recruit. He provides the "veteran" backup presence they desperately needed.
- Jadyn Davis (Redshirt Sophomore): He’s been in the program for a while now. While there were rumors about him hitting the portal, he’s currently listed on the roster, providing valuable depth.
- Brady Smigiel (Freshman): A four-star signee who is the future. Unfortunately, he’s recovering from a torn ACL, so don't expect to see him much in 2026.
- Tommy Carr (Freshman): A name Michigan fans know well. He’s the grandson of the legendary Lloyd Carr and the younger brother of CJ Carr. He’s a legacy kid with a lot of upside, though he’ll likely redshirt.
It’s a "thin" room in terms of experience, but it’s arguably the most talented collection of arms Michigan has had in a decade.
Why the Kyle Whittingham Hire Changes Everything
When Sherrone Moore was let go, there was a genuine panic in Ann Arbor. Would Underwood stay? Would the 2026 recruiting class fall apart?
Kyle Whittingham coming over from Utah was a "grown-up" hire. He’s 66, he’s won everywhere, and he knows how to build a culture. He spent hours with Underwood during the Citrus Bowl cycle, convincing him that Michigan was still the place to be. Whittingham isn't a "flashy" guy, but he’s a developer.
He’s already used Underwood’s commitment to pull in weapons. Texas transfer WR Jaime Ffrench and Utah WR/TE JJ Buchanan are coming to Ann Arbor specifically to catch passes from No. 19. If you want to know who is Michigan's QB, you also have to know who he's throwing to, and for the first time in a while, the Wolverines have elite speed on the outside.
What to Expect in 2026
Underwood isn't a finished product. Not even close.
He needs to cut down on the interceptions, especially in high-pressure situations. Whittingham’s offense at Utah was always known for being physical and efficient—not necessarily "high-flying"—but with a talent like Underwood, expect a lot more verticality.
The schedule isn't doing them any favors, but the stability in the coaching staff and the retention of the star QB has the vibes in Ann Arbor feeling very 2023-ish. People are starting to believe again.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Spring Game: This will be our first look at Jason Beck’s new offensive wrinkles and how Underwood’s mechanics have improved under Koy Detmer Jr.
- Monitor the O-Line: Underwood is a dual-threat, but he took too many sacks last year. The development of guys like Andrew Sprague and Andrew Babalola will be just as important as the QB himself.
- Ignore the Portal Noise: Underwood has publicly committed to staying for 2026. Unless something catastrophic happens, the "will he stay or will he go" drama is over for this cycle.
The Bryce Underwood era is no longer a future prospect. It is the current reality. He is the leader of this team, the face of the program, and the reason Michigan fans are circling the 2026 season on their calendars with a permanent marker.