How Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood performs will largely influence how the Wolverines’ 2026 season goes. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes things are looking up for Underwood and the Michigan offense as Underwood enters his sophomore season.
“I think he’s going to have a massive jump, you would expect,” Herbstreit said on Crain & Cone. “There are times when, if you’re just evaluating him, you have to be careful of just walking away with really concrete thoughts on a guy that’s playing as an
18-year-old and an offense that would take two steps forward, one step back.
Herbstreit is correct in his analysis of an up-and-down Michigan offense he said “didn’t really have any receivers.” Michigan ranked No. 58 in total offense and No. 105 in passing offense.
In Michigan’s last game of six games of the season, Underwood threw for four touchdowns with seven interceptions, all while being sacked 12 times. In all, Underwood , threw for 2,428 yards, with 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 60.3% completion rate along with 393 rushing yards and nine scores.
A new coaching staff, a new scheme and a year of experience should all do Underwood wonders. Underwood now has offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who was the OC at Utah last season, had major success with dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, who threw for 24 passing touchdowns and five interceptions with 835 yards rushing and 10 scores.
“I think he’s going to kind of take off this offseason,” Herbstreit said. “I think they’re going to have an offseason to study him and where his sweetspot is, where he can really play well.”
Last month, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham made similar comments about Underwood’s trajectory.
“The ceiling is so high,” Whittingham said. “Jason Beck, our offensive coordinator, is an absolute master at developing the quarterback. Played quarterback. Quarterbacks that he has trained and worked with have all had success. … He’s (Underwood) in good hands here at Michigan, I can promise you that. Jason will make sure we smooth out some of the mechanics and some of the things he does need to work on.”
