Bryce Former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood came to Michigan with an expectation to push the Wolverines to the national championship. However, the Wolverines’ season ended with a 9-4 record, including a 7-2 record in the Big Ten.
Besides this lackluster season, uncertainty continues surrounding Michigan after the program fired second-year head coach Sherrone Moore. With no successor announced, questions also remain about Underwood’s future in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Advised to Target NFL Experience Amid Bryce Underwood Uncertainty
Football Scoop’s John Brice and Doug Samuels reported on Wednesday that Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken is being evaluated and is expected to speak with Michigan officials to become the Wolverines’ head coach.
The report quickly drew attention, given Monken’s success at Georgia, where he helped Kirby Smart guide the Bulldogs to consecutive national championships earlier this decade.
Speaking on his “Adapt & Respond with RJ Young” podcast, RJ Young discussed why Monken could be an ideal hire, especially when it comes to keeping Underwood in Ann Arbor.
“I also think that it’s fascinating that Todd Monken’s in this spot,” Young said (9:05).
“Because Todd Monken would not ascend to the top of the list if this job did not have all of these other impediments to it. But Todd Monken feels like a really great hire given what he was able to do at Georgia. Given that’s the kind of team you’re gonna have to probably rebuild the roster quickly, fast, and in a hurry.
“And his name carries enough cache with quarterbacks like Bryce Underwood, for instance, to stay put. And probably get you better players than it would otherwise. And he put together a staff that might be largely from the SEC and the NFL that you could use to perhaps win games right away in 2026.”
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Underwood’s future has become a topic of speculation amid Michigan’s recent coaching changes, including the departure of offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. Interim head coach Biff Poggi was asked about the freshman quarterback during bowl preparation, but deflected the discussion.
“If you want to ask that question, you should probably ask him or his dad or mom,” Poggi said. “But we’re focused on Texas right now. He’s focused on Texas. Have you seen any film on Texas? They’ve got a bunch of monsters on their football team, so that’s what we’re focused on. That’s what Bryce is focused on. We’re not focused on who’s going to go where next year.”
Losing Underwood will be a great loss for Michigan, as he was the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. He became the fourth true freshman to start at quarterback for Michigan and the first since Tate Forcier in 2009. In his college debut on Aug. 30, he threw for 251 yards and one touchdown in a win against New Mexico.
Underwood recorded 2,229 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions while also adding 323 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He currently holds a 78.1 rating in the PFSN CFB QB Impact.
Meanwhile, Monken’s potential addition might be a convincing thing for Underwood to stay locked in with Michigan, as the former Georgia OC would arrive in Ann Arbor with extensive coaching experience.
He is in his third season with the Ravens and has held college positions at Oklahoma State and LSU. He also served as head coach at Southern Miss from 2013 to 2015, where he led a dramatic turnaround that saw the program improve from a 1-11 record in his first year to 9-5 by his final season.
