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Tag: Bryce Underwood

  • Bryce Underwood and Michigan Debut in 2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25

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    The 2025 season barely wrapped up, and the confetti from Indiana’s impressive 27–21 win over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship is still being swept off the field, but that hasn’t stopped the early crowd from looking ahead.

    On Tuesday, The Athletic dropped its annual “Way-Too-Early” Top 25 for the 2026 college football season, and the Michigan Wolverines found themselves sitting at No. 14.

    Not bad. Not elite. But very much in the “dangerous if things click” tier.

    Stewart Mandel’s early projection sees Michigan as a solid type of team with plenty of talent, some big questions, and a whole lot riding on the development of one very important player.

    The Bryce Underwood Factor

    All eyes start with quarterback Bryce Underwood.

    The former five-star phenom had a freshman season that didn’t quite live up to the massive hype, but help is on the way. Michigan’s offensive staff now includes head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, the same duo that helped turn Utah quarterback Devon Dampier into a star.

    The hope in Ann Arbor is pretty simple: more structure, more development, and a much more comfortable Underwood in Year 2.

    If that happens, the ceiling of this team changes quickly.

    A Backfield That Can Carry the Load

    Even if the passing game is still a work in progress, Michigan should once again be able to lean on a strong running attack.

    Jordan Marshall returns as the headliner, and Mandel believes the Wolverines will once again be built around physical, downhill football. That formula has served Michigan well for years, and there’s no reason to think it’s going away in 2026.

    Defense: New Faces, Big Opportunity

    The biggest concern comes in the front seven.

    Michigan loses a lot of experience up front, which means young players are going to be asked to grow up fast. The good news? Help is coming via the transfer portal, most notably defensive end John Henry Daley from Utah, who led the Utes with 11.5 sacks.

    If Daley can be a plug-and-play pass rusher and a couple of young linemen take a leap, the defense could stabilize quickly.

    The secondary, meanwhile, has a chance to be a real strength. With corners like Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry returning, plus Utah transfer Smith Snowden, Michigan could quietly field one of the better defensive back groups in the Big Ten.

    The Big Picture

    A No. 14 ranking in a “way-too-early” poll isn’t something to hang banners over, but it does reflect a belief that Michigan isn’t going anywhere.

    There’s quarterback talent.
    There’s a proven running game.
    There’s transfer help on both sides of the ball.

    And most importantly, there’s upside.

    If Bryce Underwood takes the expected sophomore jump and the new-look defense finds its footing, the Wolverines won’t just be a preseason Top 15 curiosity — they’ll be a legitimate factor in the 2026 playoff conversation.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Michigan WR Andrew Marsh Make Decision for 2026

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    Michigan Freshman All-American wide receiver Andrew Marsh has decided to stay in Ann Arbor and return for his sophomore season, even as the Wolverines transition into the Kyle Whittingham era.

    According to reporting from The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb, Marsh reached an agreement with the program to remain at Michigan rather than test the NCAA Transfer Portal, a move that surely would’ve brought plenty of attention from schools across the country.

    And Marsh isn’t the only key piece sticking around. His decision adds to a growing list of Wolverines who’ve reaffirmed their commitment to the program, including quarterback Bryce Underwood and cornerback Zeke Berry. For a new coaching staff looking to stabilize the roster and build momentum, that’s huge.

    On the field, Marsh is exactly the kind of playmaker Michigan couldn’t afford to lose. As a freshman, he caught 45 passes for 651 yards and four touchdowns, emerging as one of the most promising young receivers in the Big Ten. His consistency, explosiveness, and ability to take over games made him one of the brightest young offensive stars in college football.

    Now, instead of entering the portal, Marsh will be a cornerstone piece in Whittingham’s first season and a major part of Michigan’s offensive identity moving forward.

    For a program navigating change, keeping talent like Andrew Marsh in-house is more than roster retention, it’s a statement.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Kyle Whittingham Talks Bryce Underwood, Recruiting, and Identity at Michigan During Introductory Presser

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    Kyle Whittingham’s introductory press conference as Michigan’s new head coach didn’t feel like a show or a performance, and that was exactly the point. Instead of trying to “win the room,” Whittingham spoke with the same steady confidence and authenticity that defined his career at Utah, laying out a vision built on toughness, player-driven culture, and recruiting retention.

    And if there was one theme that carried through every answer, it was simple:

    Michigan Football will be about physicality, toughness, and grit.

    “Physicality will be our calling card,” Whittingham said. “I believe in running the football. I believe in physicality, toughness, and grit.”

    Whittingham made it clear that he isn’t arriving in Ann Arbor to mold Michigan into something new; he’s here to strengthen what already exists.

    “You will become us — we won’t become you.”

    That line resonated immediately with the fanbase and media alike. Whittingham isn’t trying to posture or sell slogans. He’s here to build a program identity around the players already in the building.

    Players First — and Retention Comes Before Anything Else

    Whittingham repeatedly emphasized that “Job 1” is connecting with current players and strengthening relationships.

    “My culture is going to be with the players. I know the gist of what transpired, but it’s not phasing me. The players are a great group of kids. They’re hungry, and that’s where my focus is. I’m a football coach, and my focus is on coaching the team.”

    He met with quarterback Bryce Underwood for 45 minutes, calling him a “special young man” with the it factor.

    “A quarterback’s got to have an ‘it’ factor — and he’s got it.”

    Whittingham also said the offensive system being installed will fit Underwood “to a tee.”

    From there, Whittingham reinforced that recruiting retention is priority #1, followed by staff structure and scheme.

    Staff Outlook: Familiarity With Some New Faces

    Whittingham expects to bring in 7–8 new assistants, while also retaining 2–3 coaches from Sherrone Moore’s staff.

    He also wants a staff with recruiting reach nationwide.

    “At Michigan, you have to recruit coast to coast.”

    Michigan fans didn’t hear buzzwords or empty promises. Instead, Whittingham spoke with conviction about who he is and the identity he plans to stamp on this roster.

    “College football is all about the players. If you’ve got good players, you’ve got a chance.”

    He also shared that stepping away at Utah didn’t mean he was done coaching, just that he was waiting for the right opportunity.

    “I knew I had a lot left in the tank. I could count on one hand the number of jobs I would have said yes to — and Michigan was one of them.”

    A Childhood Connection to The Game

    In one of the most human moments of the presser, Whittingham recalled watching Michigan-Ohio State alone as a 7-year-old, saying that moment is what sparked his lifelong love of football.

    It was a reminder: for Whittingham, this isn’t just a job, it’s full-circle.

    On Ohio State — and a Little Humor

    When asked if he dislikes Ohio State now?

    “I do now.”

    Michigan fans approve.

    Guidance from Urban Meyer — But a Michigan Focus

    Whittingham acknowledged former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer as a coaching influence, but made it clear he is his own man.

    “I don’t know if Urban is a four-letter word around here.”

    The room laughed, but the message stood:

    Whittingham isn’t here to be anyone else.

    Final Takeaway

    Kyle Whittingham didn’t try to impress anyone at his introductory press conference.

    He didn’t sell hype.

    He sold substance.

    Players first.
    Physicality as the identity.
    Recruit, retain, and build toughness.

    Michigan didn’t hire a headline.

    They hired a football coach, and Whittingham made sure everyone knew it.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Michigan vs. Ohio State Spread Revealed — Are the Oddsmakers Disrespecting the Wolverines?

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    It’s officially Michigan vs. Ohio State week, and the opening point spread for The Game has dropped, and it’s a big one.

    According to DraftKings, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes have opened as 12.5-point favorites over the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines at The Big House. It’s a notable number, considering Michigan has won this rivalry matchup four years in a row and enters the week at 9-2 under head coach Sherrone Moore.

    Ohio State (11-0) rolls into Ann Arbor aiming to wrap up an undefeated regular season behind Heisman frontrunner Julian Sayin, who threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 42-9 dismantling of Rutgers.

    Michigan, meanwhile, is coming off arguably its best all-around performance of the season, smashing Maryland 45-20 on the road. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood looked poised and efficient, completing 16 of 23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns as the Wolverines dominated start to finish.

    The stakes couldn’t be clearer:

    • A Michigan win would give Moore’s team five straight victories in The Game and put the Wolverines squarely back into the College Football Playoff conversation.
    • A Michigan loss would almost certainly eliminate them from CFP contention.

    The spread is set. The Game is coming. And once again, everything is on the line.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Wolverines Ups & Downs: Who Stood Out In Win Over Washington?

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    Taking everything into account, Michigan’s 24-7 victory over Washington was the best, most complete game that the Wolverines have played all year.

    From holding one of the nation’s top offenses to just seven points, to putting together its most fluid offensive game of the season, Michigan didn’t have too many miscues Saturday. 

    The win was a much-needed bounce-back effort after losing badly to USC the week prior, and the Wolverines’ playoff hopes remain alive for at least one more week.

    Here are four ‘Ups’ and two ‘Downs’ from Michigan’s impressive win over the Huskies…

    UP: QB Bryce Underwood

    Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was excellent Saturday. He threw 21-for-27 for 230 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most comfortable Underwood looked in the pocket all year, and his accuracy was dead-on all afternoon. 

    This version of Underwood is what the college football world was expecting when he earned the starting role. He’s had his own whole set of ups & downs throughout the season, but he’s shown steady improvement, and it’s all starting to click. Underwood wasn’t asked to use his legs much, but in the few times he did, he looked comfortable and controlled.

    Underwood did everything that the Wolverines could ask from him, and this kind of performance should be the expectation moving forward.

    UP: RB Jordan Marshall

    With star running back Justice Haynes out with an upper body injury, Michigan turned to sophomore running back Jordan Marshall to take the bulk of snaps in the backfield. He was satisfactory last week against the Trojans when given the same task, but against Washington, he was spectacular.

    Jordan Marshall #23 of the Michigan Wolverines looks for yards during a run against the Washington Huskies. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

    Marshall ran for 133 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, replicating the type of production that a healthy Haynes usually offers. Marshall showed off his strength all afternoon, repeatedly carrying the pile for an extra couple of yards.

    Having a back like Marshall ready to take over whenever he is needed is a massive luxury for the Wolverines, even when Haynes returns.

    DOWN: K Dominic Zvada

    Senior kicker Dominic Zvada continues his struggles in 2025. A 48-yard field goal attempt is no cakewalk for a typical college kicker, but for Zvada, it’s generally automatic. Thus, when he hooked his attempted wide left, it was a disappointing outcome.

    So far this year, he’s missed three field goals under 50 yards. Michigan knows that the two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist’s talents didn’t just vanish in 2025, but the Wolverines need him to get back on track.

    UP: TEs Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli

    Even with their top-two tight ends — senior Marlin Klein and sophomore Hogan Hansen — out with injury, the Wolverines tight end room still had itself a day. Junior Zack Marshall led all receivers with five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown, while fellow junior Deakon Tonielli caught three passes for 38 yards.

    Michigan tight ends have had a rough go of it when it comes to injuries this season, but the depth of the room allows the high-level production to continue. Even when Klein and Hansen return, Marshall and Tonielli have proved plenty capable of contributing.

    UP: EDGE Derrick Moore

    Picking up the Wolverines’ only two sacks on the day, senior edge rusher Derrick Moore had his best game of the season. Moore’s efforts were a large part of how Michigan kept Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and the Huskies’ high-powered offense at bay.

    Michigan’s pass rush has been volatile this season with several peaks and valleys, but if Moore can find a rhythm, the duo of him alongside senior edge rusher Jaishawn Barham could cause a lot of problems for opposing offenses moving forward. 

    DOWN: WR Semaj Morgan

    Dropped passes continue to be a problem for junior wide receiver Semaj Morgan, as he collected another Saturday. This one came in a big spot, too. 

    With about six minutes left in the first quarter, Michigan went for a fourth-and-1 on Washington’s 31-yard line. Underwood dumped the ball off to Morgan for what should have been an easy conversion and maybe a lot more, given the amount of space he had in front of him, but Morgan couldn’t haul it in.

    Ultimately, it didn’t hurt the Wolverines in the long run, but it’s a play Morgan can’t afford to not make. There’s a reason Michigan is so high on Morgan, his speed and agility give him big upside, but the drops are a concerning trend.

    Other Notables

    Sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan, senior linebacker Jimmy Rolder, and sophomore defensive back Jacob Oden all came down with interceptions in the second half of the contest…Freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh continued his solid stretch, catching all five of his targets for 49 yards and a touchdown…Michigan’s rush defense as a whole was superb, allowing just 40 rushing yards for an average of 1.7 yards per carry, with the Huskies’ longest rush of the day being just eight yards.

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    Eli Trese

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  • Bryce Underwood Assigns Grade To His Debut Performance At Michigan

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    Think Bryce Underwood dazzled in his first start? The true freshman quarterback doesn’t see it that way.

    In Michigan’s 34-17 win over New Mexico on Saturday, Underwood etched his name into the record books with the most passing yards by a debuting freshman in program history. The performance had fans buzzing, but when the cameras turned on him after the game, Underwood wasn’t handing out gold stars.

    Bryce Underwood Michigan debut

    Underwood’s Harsh Self-Assessment

    When asked to grade his performance, the 18-year-old calmly gave himself a “C-plus.”

    “There’s a lot of things I need to work on, and also us as a team as well,” Underwood said as quoted by MLive. “We’re going to go back to the drawing board and come back better next week.”

    That honesty came as Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore sat next to him, almost shaking his head in disbelief.

    “I thought he played really well,” Moore said. “He’s going to be very critical of himself when he watches film. He has a high standard for himself, and we have a high standard for us as an offense. But it’s not just him; it’s everyone on offense, together, pulling in one string.”

    Poise Beyond His Years

    Underwood showed off more than just arm strength in his first start, he showed composure. The prized recruit didn’t turn the ball over, a major point of emphasis after last season’s struggles at the position. Even his one near-mistake, a cross-body throw into a tight window, showcased both his confidence and accuracy.

    “Whenever you have a quarterback that’s the quarterback at Michigan, you’re going to be critical of yourself,” Moore explained. “It’s our job to (allow) him to do that, but we’ve also got to bring him back, (urge him) to play to your capabilities, play to your strengths and us help him as a coaching staff, too.”

    Living Out a Childhood Dream

    For Underwood, the moment wasn’t just about stats, it was about finally living out a dream he’s had since he was a kid.

    “That was a surreal feeling being in the Big House,” he said. “I’ve been coming to the games since I was 8-9 years old. It’s just a surreal feeling having the block ‘M’ on my chest and to score a touchdown.”

    What’s Next

    Now the Wolverines hit the road for a primetime showdown at Oklahoma. The stage only gets bigger, but if there’s one thing Underwood proved in Week 1, it’s that he’s not fazed.

    Maybe “C-plus” was his grade. But for Michigan fans, the future under center looks like an A+.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Must Watch: Bryce Underwood Delivers Thunderous Block in Michigan Debut

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    Michigan fans were buzzing about Bryce Underwood’s arm heading into his debut, but it was his shoulder that made the first big highlight of the Wolverines’ season-opener.

    Before tossing the first touchdown pass of his college career late in the first half, the true freshman quarterback showed he’s not afraid to get physical.

    Underwood Lays the Hit

    On Justice Haynes’ second touchdown run of the first quarter, Underwood didn’t just stand back and admire. After handing the ball off, he tracked the play as Haynes cut left. Spotting New Mexico defender Ky’Won McCray closing in, the 18-year-old QB lowered his right shoulder and delivered a thunderous block, clearing the lane for Haynes to waltz into the end zone.

    The crowd at the Big House roared, not just for the score, but for the toughness and selflessness of the freshman quarterback.

    Why It Matters

    For a young signal-caller making his first career start, moments like these carry weight. Underwood is already showing his teammates that he’s willing to do the dirty work to help the offense succeed. That kind of effort builds instant credibility in the locker room, and it sets the tone for the rest of the season.

    It wasn’t long after that block that Underwood reminded everyone why he was the top recruit in the 2025 class, as he tossed his first career touchdown pass.

    Bryce Underwood Michigan spring game Bryce Underwood Michigan starting quarterback

    The Big Picture

    Yes, Bryce Underwood is in Ann Arbor to lead the passing game. But Saturday showed something even bigger, Michigan has a quarterback who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to make a play. For Sherrone Moore’s program, that’s about as “Michigan” as it gets.

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    Don Drysdale

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