Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood had a mixed season after becoming just the fourth Wolverines starter at the position as a true freshman. Underwood arrived in Ann Arbor as the consensus No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall prospect in the country in the class of 2025.
Next season, Underwood will play in a new offensive scheme under new coach Kyle Whittingham, who hired offensive coordinator Jason Beck from the Utah Utes to spearhead his Wolverines’ revival.
JJ Buchanan Makes Huge Bryce Underwood Prediction
While speaking to reporters on Monday, wide receiver transfer JJ Buchanan lavished praise on Underwood and sent a warning to the rest of college football about the quarterback’s potential next season.
“And Bryce, obviously, I’ve heard a lot about him,” Buchanan said. “We’re in the same recruiting cycle. Best quarterback and best recruit in the country. Everything you need in a quarterback. Charisma, build, arm. He has everything you need.
“And I think that with this new system, with this new belief that we’ve instilled in him, I think that he will take a huge leap this year. And yeah, I think he’ll take a huge leap this year.”
After initially committing to the Utah Utes as a safety, Buchanan started the season as a tight end before being switched to wide receiver, where he thrived and tallied 427 receiving yards on 26 catches, resulting in 5 touchdowns and earning a PFSN College Wide Receiver Impact score of 73.7.
Kyle Whittingham Compares Bryce Underwood to Cam Newton
During Thursday’s segment of the “Hard Count” podcast with host J.D. PicKell, Whittingham paid Underwood the ultimate compliment by comparing him to former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton.
“He kind of reminds me of Cam Newton,” Whittingham said. “Who I didn’t have a chance to coach or be around. But as far as his charisma, his stature. Big dude… Live arm, great athlete, flashes that smile a lot like Cam did. That’s probably the guy that comes to mind, mostly.”
“His leadership is incredible. He’s a tremendous leader. That was evident from when we first got here to Ann Arbor and started the offseason program. About two weeks in, we had the team vote for captains, and he was a landslide winner as the offensive captain. So, that tells you what his teammates think about him and where he sits with them.”
Underwood, who opted to stay in Ann Arbor even after former Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was fired, registered 2,428 passing yards, resulting in 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, while adding 392 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on 88 carries last season. He earned a PFSN College QB Impact score of 78.0.
