Who Is Michigan’s Quarterback? Why Bryce Underwood Is the New Face of Ann Arbor

If you haven’t checked in on the Big House lately, things look a lot different than the J.J. McCarthy era. The days of "game manager" talk are dead. Right now, the answer to who is Michigan's quarterback is simple but heavy with expectation: Bryce Underwood.

He’s not just a starter. He’s a shift in the tectonic plates of Michigan football.

Honestly, the journey to get here was a bit of a rollercoaster for fans. After the 2024 season saw a bit of a carousel with Davis Warren, Alex Orji, and Jack Tuttle, the program needed a definitive "guy." They found him in their own backyard. Underwood, a five-star phenom out of Belleville, Michigan, didn't just walk into the locker room; he arrived with a reported $12 million NIL valuation and the weight of a rebuilding blue blood on his shoulders.

The Bryce Underwood Era: Beyond the Hype

When you watch him play, it’s immediately clear why he was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class. He’s 6-foot-4, 230-ish pounds, and has an absolute cannon. But being "the guy" at Michigan is about more than just throwing a post route 60 yards.

In his freshman campaign (2025), Underwood put up some serious numbers despite the "true freshman" growing pains. He threw for over 2,200 yards and accounted for 14 total touchdowns. Were there mistakes? Yeah, of course. The Ohio State game in late 2025 was a rough 27-9 loss where he looked every bit the teenager playing against a pro-style defense. But the flashes of brilliance—like his 114-yard rushing performance against Central Michigan—showed he’s a dual-threat nightmare.

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The 2026 Outlook and the Whittingham Factor

Here’s where it gets interesting. Michigan recently made a massive splash by hiring Kyle Whittingham (formerly of Utah fame) to take the reins.

There was a lot of chatter about whether Underwood would stick around through a coaching change. LSU was reportedly lurking, still trying to flip the hometown hero. But on January 5, 2026, Underwood shut it all down. He’s staying in Ann Arbor.

Whittingham is known for a very specific type of toughness, but he’s also shown he can develop high-level quarterbacks. If he can take Underwood’s raw, elite athleticism and marry it to a consistent, disciplined system, the Big Ten is in trouble.

The Depth Chart: Who’s Behind Him?

While Underwood is the undisputed headline, a quarterback room is only as good as its backup. Football is a brutal sport, and you're always one snap away from the "next man up."

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1. Jadyn Davis: The sophomore who many thought would be the heir apparent before Underwood committed. He’s a refined, high-IQ passer who provides a very different look if Underwood needs a breather.
2. Mikey Keene: The veteran transfer who brought some much-needed experience to the room. He’s seen it all and acts as a sort of "player-coach" in that meeting room.
3. Chase Herbstreit: A name that carries weight. He’s a freshman developmental piece, but the pedigree is there.

Basically, the room is deeper than it’s been in years. It’s a mix of "win now" talent and "build for later" potential.

Why the NIL Deal Actually Matters

You can’t talk about who is Michigan's quarterback without mentioning the money. It’s the elephant in the room. A $10-12 million deal over his career at Michigan is a lot of pressure.

Critics pointed to the 9-win 2025 season as proof that maybe the investment wasn't paying off immediately. But that's a short-sighted view. Recruiting a player like Underwood changed the perception of Michigan's "conservative" NIL approach. It signaled to the rest of the country that the Wolverines are willing to play the modern game.

What to Expect Next

Underwood isn't a finished product. His completion percentage hovered around the low 60s last year, and his footwork in the pocket can get "happy" when the rush closes in.

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However, his ceiling is higher than maybe any Michigan QB in history. Yes, even higher than J.J. or Tom Brady (at the college level, anyway). He has the "it" factor that draws teammates toward him. With a full offseason under Whittingham and a revamped offensive line, 2026 is the year the training wheels come off.

If you’re heading to the Big House this fall, expect to see an offense that actually takes shots downfield. The run-heavy "Manball" era hasn't disappeared—this is Michigan, after all—but it’s now a vehicle to set up Underwood’s vertical passing game.

To see how this transition impacts the rest of the roster, you should track the weekly depth chart updates on the official Michigan Athletics site and keep an eye on how Whittingham adjusts his play-calling during the spring game. Monitor Underwood's chemistry with sophomore receiver Andrew Marsh; that duo is the key to a Big Ten title run.