Michigan reportedly names star freshman Bryce Underwood its starting QB ahead of season opener

Bryce Underwood was the top-ranked recruit in his class coming out of high school, and flipped his commitment to Michigan from LSU last fall.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - APRIL 19: Bryce Underwood #19 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up ahead of the Maize vs. Blue spring football game at Michigan Stadium on April 19, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images for ONIT)
Bryce Underwood was the top-ranked recruit in his class coming out of high school, and flipped his commitment to Michigan from LSU last fall. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images for ONIT)
Mike Mulholland via Getty Images

Bryce Underwood is getting the start right away in Ann Arbor.

No. 14 Michigan named the freshman its starting quarterback for its season opener against New Mexico next weekend on Sunday night, according to multiple reports. Underwood will be the first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Wolverines since 2009.

Underwood, a five-star Rivals.com recruit, was the No. 1 ranked player in his recruiting class. He was initially committed to play for Brian Kelly at LSU, but he flipped his commitment to Michigan last fall He grew up in Belleville, Michigan, which sits just outside of Detroit and only about a half hour from Ann Arbor, and led his high school to two state championships and a 38-game win streak.

Underwood beat out Davis Warren and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene for the starting job. Keene, who spent his first two seasons at UCF, threw for just shy of 2,900 yards and 18 touchdowns last season in the Mountain West. Warren spent time as Michigan’s starting quarterback last season, but the Wolverines switched between him, Alex Orji and Jack tuttle.

Michigan went just 8-5 last season, the first under head coach Sherrone Moore, despite starting the season ranked inside the top 10 nationally a year removed from their national championship run. The Wolverines went just 5-4 in Big Ten play last fall, too. After hosting the Lobos on Saturday, Michigan will travel to No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 6.

Category: General Sports