The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
Q U A R T E R B A C K S 44 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CHRIS BALAS F or the second straight year, Michigan heads into a season with significant question marks at the most impor- tant position on the field. This sea- son, though, the queries aren't focused on whether there's someone who can play the position at a high enough level — rather, can the freshman prodigy beat out the savvy veteran transfer in his first season? Belleville (Mich.) freshman Bryce Un- derwood got a leg up on former Fresno State signal-caller Mikey Keene based on availability alone, showing up (and show- ing well, most agreed) for all 15 spring practices as an early enrollee. Keene, meanwhile, missed all of spring with an undisclosed injury and will be playing catch-up, his reps going to Underwood and sophomore Jadyn Davis with gradu- ate student Davis Warren still recovering from knee surgery (ACL). "Right before the spring his injury came upon us, so he handled it. He's doing well now," head coach Sherrone Moore said of Keene after the April 19 spring scrim- mage. "He's throwing. He's in a good place. He just didn't feel like pushing it to end the spring that way, but he's in a great place. "I did a study about the guys who have played the most college snaps in football, and he's played about 2,220 snaps. So, he's OK to miss this one." OK in the sense that they trust his ex- perience and ability to catch up quickly learning the playbook and the offense af- ter starting two years at Fresno State. As it pertains to the starting job, though? That remains to be seen. Even before it was learned that Keene would miss the spring, those close to the program believed Underwood would be the favorite to start the Aug. 30 opener with New Mexico. "Follow the money," one said. "They didn't bring him here and pay him that much money [on an NIL deal] to sit on the bench." But anyone who knows Michi- gan also understands positions are earned, not given. Those not will- ing to put in the work usually get left behind. Fortunately for the Wolverines' coaches, Underwood happens to be as determined and focused as he is talented. The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder showed steady improvement after getting off to a great start during Re- liaQuest Bowl practices in Decem- ber, showing off his elite arm and ball placement. Even then, teammates called him "the truth" and "the future" during his limited reps. He took another step this spring, working on his reads and cutting down on his mistakes. Though his spring game numbers weren't great —12 for 26 pass- ing for 187 yards with an intercep- tion and a touchdown, 88 yards of which came on a reverse flea- flicker on the game's last play — he looked the part as the pro- gram's future. "He's got a lot of gifts," former Michigan All-America offensive lineman and current radio broad- cast color commentator Jon Jan- sen said after seeing Underwood all spring. "He's got a strong arm. Now, it's going to be a matter of accuracy when it matters and making quick reads. "Looking ahead to that Okla- homa game [in Week 2], Bryce is ALL EYES ON THE FRESHMAN Bryce Underwood's Impressive Spring Puts Him Firmly In The Mix To Start At Quarterback Freshman Bryce Underwood was the nation's No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class out of Belleville (Mich.) High. He enrolled at Michigan in January and is the anticipated starter coming out of spring drills. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL U-M's Passing Yardage Leaders Since 2015 Year Player Yards TD INT 2024 Davis Warren 1,199 7 9 2023 J.J. McCarthy 2,991 22 4 2022 J.J. McCarthy 2,719 22 5 2021 Cade McNamara 2,576 15 6 2020* Joe Milton 1,077 4 4 2019 Shea Patterson 3,061 23 8 2018 Shea Patterson 2,600 22 7 2017 John O'Korn 973 2 6 2016 Wilton Speight 2,538 18 7 2015 Jake Rudock 3,017 20 9 * COVID season (six games)