"We think (he) is going to be a part of what we’re doing going forward," Kyle Whittingham told Dave Portnoy of Bryce Underwood at Michigan football.
The Michigan football program hasn't received a ton of positive news via the transfer portal − with more than 20 players either entering or requesting a release from their letter of intent without a single incoming player (yet) − however good news could be on the horizon.
New Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham went on Fox Sports 1's "Wake Up Barstool" on Monday, Jan. 5, and spoke with Dave Portnoy − owner and founder of Barstool who is also a Michigan alumnus and outspoken fan − to share a message about Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood.
While there's no official update, Whittingham told Portnoy that Underwood is "in a good place" and not to be surprised if there's an announcement on his future "pretty soon."
"He has enjoyed his time here, and he is one of the team leaders," Whittingham said. "He’s a young guy, but he’s one of the team leaders, obviously by virtue of the position. And so he is a guy that we think is going to be a part of what we’re doing going forward.
"But you gotta … you never know until it’s a done deal.”
Whittingham made Underwood a priority from the moment he accepted the U-M job. Whittingham flew to Orlando on Dec. 27 to begin making connections with players, staffers, donors, athletic department officials and those involved in the Name Image and Likeness space.
He said he wanted to meet with every individual player on the roster and up first was Underwood - the two met for nearly an hour in the days leading up to Michigan's 41-27 Citrus Bowl loss to Texas.
Underwood threw 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions, and completed a below-average 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards as a true freshman in 2025. He also ran 88 times for 392 yards and four touchdowns.
"I did a lot of listening,” Whittingham said in Orlando of their meeting. “I wanted to get feedback from him. I wanted to get to know him. Everything from growing up, family, and what’s important to him. It was a great conversation. He is a special young man. Carries himself the right way. Quarterback has to have the 'it' factor, and Bryce has the 'it' factor, along with a ton of talent. Big, strong kid.
"His ceiling is very high and the offense we’re going to bring in here is going to suit him and I think he’s really, really going to excel and have a great experience here.”
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kyle Whittingham on Bryce Underwood: Announcement coming 'pretty soon'
Category: General Sports
