ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood announced his decision on his future after the hiring of former Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Underwood on Monday (Jan. 5) posted to X (formerly Twitter) with a single photo.
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— Bryce Jay Underwood (@BryceUnderwoo16) January 6, 2026
Team 147 needed a jolt of energy, and it got it with Underwood’s announcement that he is returning for the 2026 season for his sophomore year in Ann Arbor.
Underwood is coming off a 41-27 loss to Arch Manning and his Texas Longhorns in the 80th edition of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando on New Year’s Eve.
In the game, Underwood completed 23/42 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
That performance capped off the former five-star recruit’s up-and-down 9-4 season.
Underwood started 13 games for the men in maize in 2025, completing 202/335 passes for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
He also toted the rock 88 times for 392 yards and six touchdowns on the ground during his freshman season with the Wolverines.
Although he struggled against Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, and Michigan State, he put on a highlight show against the Wisconsin Badgers, completing 19/28 passes for 270 yards and one passing touchdown.
Underwood showed signs of flash as he connected with wide receiver Donaven McCulley six times for 112 receiving yards and one touchdown.
He also started building a connection with fellow freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh, who broke out against the Northwestern Wildcats as he hauled in 12 receptions for 189 yards inside Wrigley Field.
There was a lot of speculation that the dismissal of former head coach Shereone Moore would lead many players to enter the transfer portal, but Whittingham made it clear he wanted to keep Underwood during his introductory press conference in Orlando.
“I already met with one player. You can probably guess who that was: our quarterback, Bryce Underwood. That was a great conversation. Spent about 45 minutes with him this morning.”
Whittingham described the 45-minute conversation with Underwood.
“I did a lot of listening. I wanted to get feedback from him and get to know him — everything from growing up, family, what’s important to him,” Whittingham said.
He called Underwood “a special young man” who “carries himself the right way.”
Whittingham emphasized the importance of the “IT factor” in a quarterback.
“Bryce has the IT factor along with a ton of talent. He’s a big, strong kid — 6-foot-4, 225-plus pounds,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham said Underwood’s potential and ceiling are very high.