All Eyes on Top-Rated QB Recruit Bryce Underwood for No. 14 Michigan

Bryce Underwood, playing quarterback for No. 14 Michigan and hailed as the top-rated recruit in the country, is ready to have all eyes on him this season.

He's also ready to take some hits.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Underwood told two reporters earlier this summer — at a car dealership that leveraged his name, image and likeness to draw fans for autographs — that he has put on 15 pounds of muscle to get bigger, stronger and quicker.

"It's made me more explosive," Underwood said. "I feel way more faster."

The Wolverines trail four Big Ten teams in the AP Top 25, but Underwood said people should expect a lot from them on both sides of the ball.

"Offense and defense that they never seen before," he said.

Second-year coach Sherrone Moore, who might name a starting quarterback on Monday, said Underwood's talent and comprehension of the offense under new coordinator Chip Lindsey are what have stood out the most so far from the freshman.

"Consistency is the biggest thing," he said. "Don’t turn the ball over, command the offense, make plays."

Moore will be suspended for the third and fourth games of the season as a self-imposed sanction in response to the NCAA investigation into the sign-stealing scandal that has loomed over the program for two years.

The NCAA also suspended Moore for the 2026 opener, fined the school tens of millions of dollars and reduced official visits by 25% this season.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said the governing body made errors interpreting its bylaws, adding that conclusions were made that were contrary to the evidence.

"We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options," Manuel said.

Michigan expects to take pressure off Underwood with a