Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said that QB Bryce Underwood handles pressure better than any freshman he’s been around.
Bryce Underwood has received a lot of publicity over the past year. Underwood was the No. 1 player in the 2025 class and made a huge flip in his commitment, going from LSU to Michigan. However, Underwood’s not the only five-star quarterback Michigan’s had in recent years that arrived in Ann Arbor as a true freshman with lofty expectations.
J.J. McCarthy, like Underwood, was considered a ‘chosen one’ and a recruit destined to lead Michigan to a National Championship. McCarthy followed through and destiny occurred with a 27-1 record as starting quarterback, culminating with a National Championship.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore spoke with The Michigan Insider recently and said that Underwood handles pressure better than any freshman he’s been around, including McCarthy.
“The closest was J.J., and J.J. handled it really well,” Moore said. “But I think there is added pressure because he’s a guy from right down the road and his family’s here.”
Where Underwood grew up and played high school ball, Belleville, is around 25 minutes east of Ann Arbor. While Underwood undoubtedly wants to start as a true freshman for his favorite childhood team, Moore has told Underwood he has to win the starting job in fall camp, to which Underwood told him he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Look, I know you’re extremely talented, but I’m not promising you anything,” Moore said he told Underwood. “You’ve got to go earn it. You’ve got to go take the job.”
In the interview with the Michigan Insider, Moore also made clear that Underwood is still just 17 years old and still getting acclimated to the speed of college football and getting to learn the complexities of Michigan’s playbook.
“Playbooks are different. Plays are different. You’ve got to get timing with your receivers, with your skill guys and doing all the things,” Moore explained. “There’s more to the offense than he’s ever had to deal with.”
Underwood will be battling for QB1 duties with Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and East Carolina transfer Jake Garcia. Redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis and true freshman Chase Herbstreit will also be hoping to make an impression. However, if Underwood handles pressure at the level Sherrone Moore says, there’s a good chance he could be QB1 in Michigan’s season opener against New Mexico.