Bryce Underwood is Michigan’s starting quarterback, but if Underwood doesn’t improve or stop turning the ball over, true freshman backup Tommy Carr could see the field sooner or later.
Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham told the media on Monday that Carr “had a good week” of practices during Michigan’s bye week.
“He took half the reps with the ones by design,” Whittingham said, while noting that second-team players received more work “across the board” during Michigan’s bye week.
Whittingham was also
asked if Carr could see the field in certain packages. His answer wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no, either.
“To be determined,” Whittingham said. “He sure looks good in practice like he has throughout all spring and fall camp. And his small, tiny sample size that he had in the game is positive. But right now, like I said, Bryce is our guy, and if we think that giving Tommy a series or two helps our chance to win, then you will see that.”
Underwood has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions through five games, and his Total QBR of 56.2 ranks No. 70 in the nation. In short, Underwood hasn’t done enough to fend Carr off from getting snaps. While Whittingham isn’t committing to “giving Tommy a series or two”, the fact that he’s even uttering those words would seem like he’s considering the possibility.
Jim Harbaugh gave J.J. McCarthy meaningful reps as a true freshman in 2021, and that was even with a QB1 in Cade McNamara who was more trustworthy and decisive with the football than Underwood. For that reason, it could be in Michigan’s best interest to have a package for Carr and to insert him in games to come, whether Underwood remains the starter or not. And then there’s this — Carr getting snaps could light a fire under Underwood and push him to improve more than he has to this point. It feels like Carr has fared well enough to receive a longer look in live action than he has to this point — 2-of-2 for 23 yards and a touchdown with 18 rushing yards.
