Discover why Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top player, could reshape the Michigan Wolverines’ future and set new standards in Ann Arbor. Here is our film study on the five-star QB:
Bryce Underwood is the sixth-highest-rated quarterback in 247Sports composite history (since 2000) and the second-highest-rated recruit ever to commit to Michigan. Given this standing, it is no surprise his sudden Thursday night commitment sent shock waves across the country.
A player of this magnitude shifts the gravity in Ann Arbor. Immediately, the Michigan Wolverines become a destination for any non-quarterback in the country. This includes players AND coaches. Who wouldn’t want to play with a potential Heisman Trophy finalist? Who wouldn’t want to coach a potential top pick in the NFL Draft ?
Okay, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. Before we speculate on the future, let’s better understand what Underwood is bringing to the Wolverines.
Background
Underwood attended Belleville High School 20 minutes down the road from Ann Arbor. Not traditionally a powerhouse, Underwood changed the culture for the Tigers and raised the floor of the program to the state semifinals during his tenure.
A four-year starter, Underwood finished his career with a 50-4 record — including a 38-game winning streak — and a pair of state championships. Both championships are the only state championships in Belleville history.
Barely a 14-year-old as a freshman (Underwood has an August birthday and could technically be a 2026 prospect), he finished the season with 2,888 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns, and only four interceptions as he guided his team to its first state title.
As a sophomore with a new head coach, Underwood led Belleville to repeat as state champions during the program’s only undefeated season throwing for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushing for eight more.
In his third season, the Tigers fell short in the state championship, but Underwood finished the year with 3,329 passing yards (12.1 yards per attempt), 41 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Underwood’s senior year numbers are not readily available, but the Tigers were again outstanding with Underwood at the helm, although they were defeated in last week’s state semifinals against Catholic Central.
Measurables
Measuring in at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds before his senior season, Underwood already possesses good size for a collegiate starter, but has room to grow. The 17-year-old carries his weight naturally and could easily add another 20 pounds to his frame before taking his first snap for the Wolverines.
Underwood’s hands measured in at 10 inches before the season, which would have placed him above the average mark (9.7 inches ) among the 2024 NFL Draft Combine attendees. His 40-time is unconfirmed, but Underwood is a long strider who would probably clock in around the mid 4.5’s.
High School Scouting
TL;DR: Underwood has the chance to be the best player to ever wear the maize and blue.
247 Sports Comparison : Vince Young (!!)
On3 Comparison : Josh Allen (!!!)
The first word that comes to mind when watching Underwood is “natural.” Underwood plays the position with an effortless feel and an innate understanding of how to be successful. He has shown the ability to play on time with precision and off-schedule by throwing receivers open out of structure.
Underwood is capable of taking snaps from under center, although he primarily works from the gun. In the pocket, his maturity and poise are years ahead of most college quarterbacks let alone his prep peers. Rarely sped up and never quick to panic, Underwood’s awareness of when to climb in the pocket and when to roll out is second nature.
As a passer, Underwood’s arm talent is elite. He drives the ball with velocity and accuracy to all areas of the field. Underwood throws with advanced anticipation for his age and the touch on his throws — especially when layered — is extraordinarily instinctive and easy.
At times, he tends to accelerate his throwing motion with a compacted delivery, but this mechanical issue should easily be corrected in one or two semesters. As with any high school player, his footwork will need to be more consistent at the next level even if he has the rare ability to be deadly accurate off-platform.
If the assessment stopped here, Underwood would still be a five-star prospect. But he is also a freak athlete and a dynamic runner. Underwood’s mobility has always been a part of his game, but he took it to another level as a senior out of necessity. In the open field, Underwood is a nightmare to tackle one-on-one. His speed and agility allow him to evade defenders, and although he is a heart-on-his-sleeve runner near the goal line, Underwood is excellent at avoiding unnecessary hits.
Above all, Underwood is a winner that raises the floor and ceiling of every player around him. From his first start as a baby-faced 14-year-old competing against athletes weeks away from walking on college campuses to consistently over-performing with the target of the nation’s top prospect on his back, Underwood has never faltered as a leader. His generational combination of maturation and youthful exuberance makes him a perfect fit to lead the Wolverines.
Expectations at Michigan
Underwood is the starter at Michigan as soon as he signs his National Letter of Intent. He is the most talented quarterback prospect to set foot in Ann Arbor since Drew Henson and possesses a vastly higher ceiling. As a leader, his prep pedigree speaks volumes and could force Sherrone Moore to allow second or third-year players to be named team captains.
On the field, Underwood will undoubtedly take some early lumps — look at true freshman Dylan Raiola at Nebraska. However, Underwood has to be on the field taking reps and logging information to develop and grow. Underwood is like A.I. Vince Young: a little slimmer and a little shorter than Young, but learns and plays like a machine.
Underwood is the most exciting prospect in the history of Michigan’s program and the perfect player to return the Wolverines back to college football’s mountaintop.