The Bryce Underwood era of Michigan football begins Saturday night in Ann Arbor when the Wolverines begin their season against New Mexico.
Considered by many recruiting services as the top player in the current freshman class, Underwood originally committed to LSU. When Michigan offered a better NIL deal, reportedly $3 million annually, Underwood chose to stay close to home.
A four-year starter at nearby Belleville High School where he threw 152 touchdown passes, Underwood was officially named the starting quarterback by head coach Sherrone Moore this week after celebrating his 18th birthday on Aug. 19.
“Bryce took the necessary steps and really took the position,” Moore said. “Took ownership of his abilities and took ownership of the team and became a leader on the team and a guy that guys look to. Just did things the right way. Used his skill and never tried to do too much. For a young guy, very mature beyond his years, and he’s still only 18 years old.”
Moore was convinced Underwood should start the opener midway through camp.
“You put him in adverse situations and he responds. Never makes the same mistake twice,” Moore said. “Even if he makes a mistake, it doesn’t come back and it’s the same thing. … When you feel like somebody gravitates and has got the team, then you feel like you’ve got your quarterback.”
Subpar quarterback play, and instability at the position, was one reason the Wolverines lost five games last season. They salvaged their season with an upset of archrival and eventual national champion Ohio State, followed by a victory over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl to end up 8-5.
Jordan Marshall, who played sparingly as a freshman, and Crimson Tide transfer Justice Haynes are expected to lead the rushing attack. Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley, wearing the coveted No. 1 uniform, is projected to be Underwood’s top receiving target.
Edge rushers TJ Guy and Derrick Moore headline the defense that Moore believes has plenty of depth.
“There’s just so many guys that could play. You don’t blink if this guy’s out there versus this guy’s out there,” he said. “We’re going to roll guys. There’s going to be a lot of different numbers, different people out there.”
The Lobos have a new head coach and quarterback after a 5-7 season. Jason Eck, who led Idaho to three consecutive winning seasons, will try to revive a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2016.
Jack Layne, the Vandals’ starting quarterback, followed Eck to New Mexico and earned the Lobos starting job. Layne started six games last season, throwing 14 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions. He was sidelined for nearly two months due to a collarbone injury.
“He’s probably the smartest quarterback I’ve ever been around in 27 years of coaching,” Eck said.
The Lobos have plenty of running back depth. Transfers Damon Bankston (Weber State), Scottre Humphrey (Montana State), D.J. McKinney (Sam Houston) and Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho) led their former teams in rushing last season.
“It’s a talented room,” Eck said. “We’re blessed at that position and we’ve got to be creative. We’ve got to find a way to use those guys a lot.”
