Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey spoke highly of QB Bryce Underwood on Monday. Is Underwood the favorite to start Week 1? @WoodsFootball with more
Five-star true freshman Bryce Underwood is already receiving praise from new Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
“Bryce has come in and really done a nice job of assimilating himself into the team,” Lindsey said on Monday. “He’s all into our culture.”
Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, said last week that he definitely wants to be the starter this season. How Underwood fares from here until then will decide whether he’s QB1 or backing up Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene in Michigan’s season opener versus New Mexico.
While Lindsey doesn’t expect a starter to be named this spring, he’s using it as a time to see how Underwood and Michigan’s other quarterbacks can manage the huddle, how they fare in third-down and red-zone situations, and how they all connect with the team.
“It’s really about what they do out there on the field,” Lindsey said. “If he’s ready to go, he’ll play. If he’s not, then we’ll get somebody else ready to play — but so far, I love his approach.”
Lindsey noted Underwood is focused on improving and that his approach is professional.
“He’s all business. He loves football. That’s the most important thing,” Lindsey said. “He really wants to be the best player he can be.”
Lindsey was asked how advanced Underwood is compared to some of the other quarterbacks he’s coached, which include notable names such as Dillon Gabriel and Drake Maye.
“I’d say he’s pretty advanced. He’s highly decorated and all that in high school, which a lot of them are, but the sheer physical side of who he is,” Lindsey said of the 6-foot-4, 208-pound QB.
Something that still needs further evaluation from Lindsey is how fast Underwood can adjust from high school competition to the speed of Big Ten collegiate football.
“He’s very advanced physically. For him, the speed of the game is always something you worry about when coming into college compared to high school,” Lindsey said. “And then how much can he handle.”
Lindsey was brought in as Michigan’s offensive coordinator partially because of his ability to get the best out of the quarterback position. If Underwood is to be Michigan’s starting quarterback this season and be successful as QB1, it’ll mean Lindsey got the best out of Underwood this offseason.