Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood electrified fans this season. The 6’4″ quarterback led the Wolverines to a 9-4 record, passing for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushing for 392 yards and 6 scores.
Building on this impressive year, Underwood solidified his status as a true dual-threat quarterback, showcasing both passing and rushing abilities. Looking ahead, with the right guidance, his potential is enormous.
Bryce Underwood To Thrive Under Jason Beck’s Offensive Scheme and Guidance
Analyst RJ Young points out that Underwood could excel as a sophomore under innovative coordinator Jason Beck, suggesting that development is likely to continue.
Continuing the discussion on the quarterback’s trajectory, Young explained on his podcast Adapt & Respond that Underwood succeeded under head coach Sherrone Moore and coordinator Chip Lindsey. He also oversaw Michigan’s young offensive line’s improvement, though the unit declined late in the year, prompting changes.
Momentum shifted after late-season struggles. As a result, Michigan fired Moore in Dec. 2025 due to credible evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Associate head coach Biff Poggi stepped in as interim coach and led the team in the Citrus Bowl.
Following the Citrus Bowl loss to Texas, Michigan responded quickly. The Wolverines signed former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham to a five-year contract and offensive coordinator Jason Beck to a three-year, $9-million deal. Beck previously led an offense ranked first nationally in yards per carry (6.0) and second in rushing yards per game (266.3).
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Looking at what this means for Underwood, Young said Beck, a former BYU quarterback, can provide more guidance as a playmaker. With a run-oriented team, Beck can help improve the up-and-coming signal-caller’s rushing and enhance his overall skills.
“He’s only getting better,” Young said of Underwood. “Now you’ve supercharged that if you are the University of Michigan with this hire, a guy that played quarterback at BYUÂ and a guy that has developed quarterbacks at several levels of college football to get to a moment like this so he could coach a player like that.”
“He’s got that that ability, but now he’s got the kind of offense that might allow him to do that, too,” Young added.
Highlighting future expectations, the analyst noted that, with Beck supporting him, Underwood could probably be the first player in Michigan history to reach 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. He also expects the sophomore to outperform Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, who led the Utes to an 11-2 record and No. 14 in the Final AP Poll last season.
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Dampier, in comparison, completed 63.5% of his passes for 2,490 yards, tossing 24 touchdowns against 5 interceptions while Utah had Beck calling the offensive plays. On the ground, Dampier excelled by rushing for 835 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.
In summary, with his talent, physical traits, and coaching staff that could help him reach his full potential in just his second year of college football, Underwood might be in the running for the Heisman Trophy next season, and help Michigan make the college football playoffs while contending for the national championship.
