The outside noise regarding Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood has always been loud. As the team prepares for fall camp, Underwood is highly motivated to turn things around from how it all went down in his freshman year. Having played 13 games, he threw for 2,428 yards and completed only 60.3% of his passes. While these are numbers decent for a barely 18-year-old QB, the expectations set out were a lot higher, which is why the criticism was louder.

Underwood appeared on The Rich Eisen Show in a sit-down interview with Rich Eisen on Monday, July 27, 2026. On the show, he answered questions about his freshman year, his training with Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, and what life under Kyle Whittingham looks like. He also promised that “all 11 players on the field will be electric” when asked about the ways the Wolverines team would be different from last year. However, he was also asked about his goals for the upcoming season.

“Of course, being the best player in the country, I mean, that’s what that comes with,” Underwood said on The Rich Eisen Show about his dream of winning the Heisman Trophy before listing his three goals for the 2026 season. “This thing right here [pointing to the national championship trophy], Heisman, being the best leader for my team.”

To many college football fans, Underwood has committed several offenses with his words. But it seemed different this time. Unlike his vague comments about being the best player from Michigan, there is some clarity as to how he plans to be the best. Understanding the huge goals he set for himself, Underwood has been putting in the work, revealing how film has been the only thing consuming his screen time lately.

As for the games, Underwood is taking them bit by bit: “1 and 0 every week.” Perhaps he must have learnt from former Penn State head coach James Franklin, who revealed how the decision to stop taking games one after the other led to his setback with the Nittany Lions in 2025. The moment they began to overlook games in pursuit of the “bigger picture,” they stumbled to a 3-3 start. With his demand for weekly wins, Underwood is seeking an undefeated season, but that becomes the end result of a step-by-step approach.

Being the No. 1 overall recruit in 2025 and having the highest ever NIL valuation of a freshman, the expectations on Underwood have been over the roof since his first game. As he enters his second season, more is yet to come. To hit his goals, he must not only work hard but must also shut out the outside noise and remain focused on repaying Whittingham for the faith he has shown in him.

Kyle Whittingham on Underwood’s future

Underwood was not the only one on The Rich Eisen Show. His coach, Whittingham, was also there on the day, speaking about all things Michigan. There were questions on Underwood and whether he was the QB of the program.

For those who may be in doubt, Whittingham was unhesitant to reiterate Underwood’s place in his team during his appearance. His plans have not changed since the first day he resumed at Ann Arbor, where he spent almost an hour convincing Underwood to remain with the program.

“Well, Bryce is our guy,” Whittingham said. “To be fair, he was a barely turned 18-year-old true freshman last year and thrust into the situation that he was, and even though there’s a lot of room for improvement, still won nine ballgames and put up some decent numbers. We believe in Bryce, and he’s got all the tools in the toolbox.

“He’s 6-4, 230, runs like crazy, has a big arm. And so we feel like he’s got a big upside and has made a ton of progress so far in the offseason. Fall camp will be important for him, obviously, as it is for everybody, but Bryce is our guy.”

Whittingam did not leave his other quarterbacks behind. He lauded Tommy Carr for his impressive displays so far, but reemphasized that “going into the season, Bryce Underwood is our guy.”