SALINE, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood spent part of his offseason giving back to the community Saturday, hosting a youth football camp in Saline.
The former five-star recruit and Belleville High School standout said the opportunity hit close to home, literally.
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“It’s a blessing for me to be out here, giving back to the community,” Underwood said. “Belleville High School is only 15 minutes down the road. Just giving back and showing love to the kids, that’s a blessing for me.”
Underwood said the event felt like a full-circle moment, recalling attending similar camps as a young player and even helping Michigan running back Donovan Edwards with a camp during his high school years.
“Just seeing this all around, for it to be mine, is just a blessing to have,” Underwood said.
Working smarter heading into Year 2
While working with young athletes, Underwood is also zeroing in on his second season in Ann Arbor.
He described his offseason as a combination of consistent training, family time, and work with teammates.
Part of that preparation has included sessions with quarterback trainer Jordan Palmer.
Underwood said connecting with one of the country’s top quarterback coaches has helped him simplify his approach to the game.
“Basically, how to simplify the game for myself, how easy I can make the game, and how easy can I make it look,” Underwood said.
Looking back on his freshman season, Underwood said the biggest takeaway was the importance of mental toughness.
“How mentally stable you can be, how mentally strong you can be,” Underwood said. “That’s the main focus for me.”
Underwood also said he has noticed the Wolverines trending toward a more player-led culture heading into 2026.
“I feel like we’re getting prepared more,” Underwood said. “We’re more of a player-led team than we were last year, very player-driven.”
When asked about his goals for the season, Underwood kept it simple.
“Winning,” Underwood said. “Whatever I can do for us to win, that’s what we’re going to do.”
Tuning out the noise
Despite the heightened attention that comes with being one of the nation’s most talked-about quarterbacks, Underwood said outside opinions like the one from Super Bowl champion Eric Weddle have little impact on his approach.
“I’m not putting no energy towards one person at all,” Underwood said.
That mindset extends to social media, where some fans have connected him to Joker-themed posts and memes.
Underwood said the references have nothing to do with any particular critic or rival.
“I’ve been a big fan of the Joker since I was young,” Underwood said. “Everybody called me Batman last year, so I had to flip that role a little bit.”
His biggest motivation, he said, isn’t proving doubters wrong; it’s meeting his own expectations.
“I want to prove to myself that I am what I think I am,” Underwood said.
When asked what that means, the former five-star recruit delivered a characteristically confident response.
“I feel like I’m the best player ever to come out of Michigan,” Underwood said. “Because I worked for it.”
Rather than simply increasing his workload, Underwood said his offseason has been about becoming more efficient.
“I’m working smarter than I was last year,” Underwood said.
Weddle stands by Underwood critique, issues challenge
The former NFL safety and newly inducted College Football Hall of Famer is standing by his public criticism of Underwood, and directing a message straight to the sophomore: use it as fuel.
Weddle drew national attention after questioning Underwood’s readiness on a podcast, suggesting the young signal-caller was not yet equipped to lead a national championship-caliber program.
“Mark my words, don’t be surprised if the backups are playing early. I don’t think Bryce Underwood can throw or play quarterback,” Weddle said.
Those remarks came after Weddle attended Michigan’s spring game in Ann Arbor as part of a recruiting tour with his son, Gaige Weddle, a four-star prospect.
“I got to spring ball to watch Michigan because I was with my son going on spring visits,” Weddle said. “We went on nine different spring visits just to see schools and see their culture and identities.”
Michigan left lasting impression on Weddle
Despite the headline-grabbing quarterback critique, Weddle had high praise for the Michigan program overall, calling it the most impressive stop on the nine-school tour.
“Michigan was probably the most impressive school from resources to facilities to culture to the coaching staff to the brand,” Weddle said.
Weddle, who spent much of his playing career at the University of Utah under current Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham, said Michigan’s scale and tradition left him in awe.
“All I’ve ever known is the University of Utah,” Weddle said. “So when I go to these schools that are some of the best in the entire country with the history, I’m blown away.”
Criticism rooted in high standards, not personal bias
Speaking on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Weddle clarified that his critique was based on limited but direct observation, two games last season and a spring practice, and tied to his standard for elite quarterback play.
“When I saw him, I didn’t think he was very accurate,” Weddle said. “My point is, you have to play quarterback a certain way to win a national championship.”
Weddle was careful to separate his football assessment from any personal judgment of Underwood.
“It doesn’t mean he’s not a good kid,” Weddle said. “It just means I don’t think, at this point, he can.”
He added that his view is not permanent.
“Can he play? Can it be fixed? Of course, it can be fixed,” Weddle said. “It’s up to him. Go put the work in and let the work speak for itself.”
‘Go prove me wrong’
Weddle framed his comments as a challenge, not an attack, and said elite athletes should expect public scrutiny.
“This isn’t going to be the first time someone says something negative about you,” Weddle said. “Either you let it affect you, or you use it as motivation and go be great.”
Weddle said his investment in the program is genuine.
“People that don’t know me, I’m a loyal guy,” Weddle said. “You want me in your corner.”
He reiterated that he is rooting for Michigan, while keeping his quarterback assessment front and center.
“I actually want Michigan to win,” Weddle said. “If the quarterback is not playing at a high clip, I could see a change. The coach is going to go with whoever gives the team the best chance to win.”
Weddle closed with a direct message for Underwood.
“I wish them the best,” Weddle said. “Now go prove me wrong.”
Michigan’s 2026 outlook
Michigan enters the 2026 season with aspirations of returning to the College Football Playoff.
Whittingham has bolstered both his coaching staff and roster with new additions, and Underwood figures to be at the center of it all.
As the Wolverines prepare for the upcoming season, Underwood’s message remains consistent: ignore the noise, trust the work, and focus on improvement.
Whether others agree with his lofty self-assessment is secondary.
For Underwood, the goal is proving it to himself on the field.