Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood opted to remain in Ann Arbor despite the controversies surrounding the Wolverines’ coaching situation in December. Underwood distinguished himself as former coach Sherrone Moore’s starter as a freshman and flashed some of the ability that led to him being ranked the No. 1 QB in the class of 2025.
How Did One Analyst Detail Michigan QB Bryce Underwood’s Weaknesses?
Underwood will work under new quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Jason Beck next season as he aims to return the Wolverines to elite status in college football.
During Tuesday’s segment of the “Crain & Cone” podcast, analyst David Pollack scrutinized some of Underwood’s weaknesses from his sole season in college football, while revealing the traits that the quarterback needs to polish.
“I would like to see Bryce Underwood more, but like I was underwhelmed with what I saw from Bryce Underwood this year,” Pollack said. “I was underwhelmed from a standpoint of feet, and as the season went on, he continued to make mistakes in big moments that I’m like, ‘Settle your feet. Make the throw a little bit easier.
“‘You don’t have to throw a checkdown seven thousand miles an hour. We can put a little bit of touch, we can layer the football, like he’s gotta take a big step forward. I love the wheels, I love the size, I love the talent. I was underwhelmed just from the hype. From being the No. 1 QB in the class and making more than all of us in one season.”
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In 13 games played last season, Underwood tallied 2,428 passing yards on 60.3% completion, resulting in 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, while adding 392 rushing yards on 88 carries, resulting in 6 touchdowns.
Kirk Herbstreit Predicts Underwood’s Improvement
During Monday’s segment of the “Crain & Cone” podcast, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit predicted that Underwood would improve massively next season, while highlighting the issues that limited him last season.
“I think he’s going to have a massive jump, you would expect,” Herbstreit said. “There are times when, if you’re just evaluating him, you have to be careful of just walking away with really concrete thoughts of a guy that’s playing as an 18-year-old and an offense that would take two steps forward, one step back.
“They didn’t really have any receivers. I think he’s going to kind of take off this offseason. I think they’re going to have an offseason to study him and where his sweetspot is, where he can really play well.”
Despite the issues that the Wolverines faced last season, Underwood still led one of the youngest teams in college football to a 9-4 season as a freshman starter, earning a PFSN College QB Impact score of 78.
