Michigan football HC Sherrone Moore breaks down process behind naming Bryce Underwood as starting QB

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore has officially named true freshman Bryce Underwood as Team 146’s starting quarterback.

The news broke on Sunday, but Moore made it official Monday (Aug. 25) during his Week 1 press conference in Ann Arbor.

“Yes, Bryce Underwood will be our starting quarterback. I’ll confirm that,” said Moore. “He’s earned the opportunity. It was not given to him.”

Moore praised the competition at quarterback during camp, noting that other players, including Jadyn Davis, had strong performances.

“I really thought Jadyn Davis has really come along and is taking the next steps. He’ll be the No. 2 quarterback behind him, and he’s done a really good job.”

Moore highlighted Underwood’s maturity and leadership despite his youth.

“Bryce took the necessary steps and really took the position, you know, 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,” Moore said.

Moore added, “He did things the right way and 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.”

Acknowledging that mistakes will be part of Underwood’s process, Moore said, “He’s going to make mistakes, but that’s what we’re here for, coaches and players. We’re all going to support him as he goes on this journey. We go on this journey together.”

When asked about when Underwood was informed, Moore said, “I told him all yesterday. He was as calm as he always is. I think his dad was a little bit more excited and more emotional about it than Bryce was.”

Moore described Underwood as “a very even keel kid. He doesn’t get up too high, get too low. But he was very excited about the opportunity.”

“That’s why he came here, to be that guy and not given the opportunity because he earned it,” Moore said.

Moore shared a light moment about Underwood’s family: “His dad said he might shed a tear on Saturday. I’m sure he will. I’m sure mom will too, but he’s definitely earned the opportunity.”

When asked if he had ever seen a freshman quarterback like Underwood, Moore said, “Probably halfway through camp, I figured that I was like, ‘This guy’s pretty good. I think this guy might be the guy.’”

Moore recalled a key moment during a scrimmage in the stadium: “He made a couple throws and I just looked at Chip (Lindsey) and he just nodded at me and looked at coach (Biff) Poggi, who’s behind me, and like yeah I think this is the guy.”

Moore emphasized the importance of consistency: “But you wanted to see him do that every day, every practice, every time we went in the stadium.”

Reflecting on Underwood’s rarity, Moore said, “Have I seen a freshman like him at quarterback? Not that I could imagine, not that I can think of. He’s only the fourth freshman to start quarterback here, so not very many."

Underwood, who was expected to be the Wolverines’ day-one starter since he flipped from LSU and committed to Michigan, the newly turned 18-year-old, according to reports, has been impressive during spring ball and fall camp, which solidified his position as the presumptive starter for the men in maize.

With the decision, the Belleville native now joins elite company as he is the fourth true freshman quarterback to be named as the starter, joining:

1. Rick Leach (1975),
2. Chad Henne (2004) and
3. Tate Forcier (2009)

Underwood beat out Davis, Mikey Keene, and Jake Garcia to etch his name in the Michigan history books.

Once the ball snaps against New Mexico, Underwood will be the youngest starting quarterback (18 years old, 11 days) in the 146-year history of the football program.

The services of the 6′4″ 228-pound generational talent couldn’t come soon enough, as the Wolverines’ offense during the 2024 season was ranked 113th in scoring offense in the country, averaging 22 points per game.

Michigan had the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (129.1) in FBS last season, which ranked ahead of three service academies.

Underwood said the world had never seen a freshman like him, and now, the football community and fans alike will get their chance to see the phenom take the field on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, inside The Big House in Ann Arbor on NBC at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s the full 2025 schedule:

Spring Game

The hype and presence surrounding the 18-year-old are real, as the newly lamented starter brought a nice-sized crowd to Ann Arbor for the Maize vs. Blue 2025 Michigan football Spring Game on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Fans were eager to see how the phenom would perform in front of a crowd, despite the offense being vanilla.

The Wolverines’ first public Spring Game was held at Ferry Field on May 14, 1925.

But the April 19 game was the most anticipated scrimmage in the 100 years of its existence as the five-star quarterback took his first snaps in front of a live crowd for the Wolverines football team.

After the game, it was reported that between 40,000 and 45,000 fans packed the Big House.

The Belleville native will look to lead Team 146 into new heights, as the Wolverines finished last season with an 8-5 record, with their passing game ranked near that of Army and Navy.

The game ended in a walk-off double flea flicker as Underwood hit Jalen Hoffman for an 88-yard catch and run for his first career touchdown.

Underwood finished the day with 187 yards passing and one touchdown to the amazement of the Michigan fans.

→ Million Dollar Man: Bryce Underwood steps into spotlight in Michigan football’s annual Spring Game

What do you expect from Underwood this season? How do you think he would fare against New Mexico under the lights inside the Big House on NBC?

Do you think the 18-year-old could lead the Wolverines back to the College Football Playoff or even the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis?

Here’s a look at a few of his Spring Game plays:

--> ‘Today, not tomorrow’: 9 insights into Michigan football’s fall camp under head coach Sherrone Moore

--> --> Michigan football’s Ron Bellamy talks depth, development, Wolverines’ chase for 1,000-yard receiver

--> Michigan football’s Lamar Morgan talks player versatility, recruiting strategy, championship culture

--> Michigan football offensive line coach Grant Newsome shares 9 key insights from fall camp

--> Michigan football: 8 key takeaways from head coach Sherrone Moore’s offseason outlook

--> Michigan football DC Wink Martindale talks building from ground up as fall camp kicks off

--> Wolverines fall camp: Michigan football OC Chip Lindsey talks QB depth, WR growth, O-line chemistry

--> ‘We’re ready to put on a show’: Michigan football’s Sherrone Moore sets tone at Big Ten Media Day