Is the Bryce Underwood era about to light up the Big House? With the NCAA close to issuing its final ruling on Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal soon, the Wolverines are bracing for a potential fallout. Amid this uncertainty, a new chapter is unfolding, headlined by the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit. Underwood, who arrived at Michigan after much gusto, is not just making 7 figures. The QB is preparing to display some fireworks on the field and live up to his 5-star recruit hype this season. Though he hasn’t been officially named QB1 of the Wolverines, he seems to be the centerpiece of Michigan’s newly designed offense.

You would expect the defenders of the championship title to follow up with a great season, if not a back-to-back title. With Michigan, it was a stark contrast. In 2023, Michigan, coming off their sign-stealing drama midway through the season, still managed to publish a clean sweep 15-0 record. 2024 saw some personnel changes, as a result of the blow inflicted upon the program by the scandal. Jim Harbaugh left for NFL, and Sherrone Moore became the new HC. Now that the position of the OC was empty, Moore brought Kirk Campbell up the ladder to fill in. Michigan finished 7-5 in 2024, and finished at No. 128 in total offense. Hence the experiment ended and Moore promptly fired Campbell. Then he brought in former UNC OC, Chip Lindsey.

Underwood was recruited right towards the end of Campbell’s tenure. On3’s J.D. PicKell thought that adding Lindsey to the mix is a great opportunity for the QB’s development. He said in a May 19 episode of The Wolverine podcast, “I had a hard time when he committed to Michigan seeing him under center with a fullback and throwing it 15 times, like that that to me just never totally computed.” Campbell’s offense was dialed in heavily towards the running game. Lindsey, on the other hand, has changed the offense to employ more passing. And we know how powerful Underwood is as a passer.

“The thing that gets me excited is the more open offense, also the quarterback-design run game for him, out of the gun, and having that baked in […] You can hand that guy the football, or you can have him call his own number, hand himself the football and make some good things happen. So, the spreading it out, creating numbers in the box. I’m really, really excited to see what that looks like with Chip Lindsay running the show,” PicKell said. Lindsey has created some great offenses in his career so far. In 2023, the OC’s offense at North Carolina finished 7 in total offense, 14 in passing offense (299.2 YPG) and 20 in rushing offense (192 YPG). Moore was looking for an OC that brought a balance of both great rush and pass strategies, and Lindsey does just that.

Bryce Underwood fits in just right with Chip Lindsey running the offense this season. “He’s all business, man. He loves football. That’s the most important thing. And he really wants to be the best player he can be. He wants people to push him,” Lindsey said about Underwood, ahead of spring ball. And Moore seems committed to letting Lindsey fully implement with his system, with Underwood at the center of it.

Chip Lindsey set to receive $4.5M at Michigan

The OC came on board right at the end of 2024, shortly after Moore fired Campbell. It’s been only 5 months of Lindsey as the Wolverines OC, but the HC wants him to ride along for at least three years down the line. Lindsey is guaranteed to earn $4.5 million, according to the newly revealed details of his contract. Lindsey will earn $1.4 million this season, $1.5 million in the next, and $1.6 million in 2027. He also gets a $60,000 signing bonus.

He is also doubling as QB coach. Last season under Campbell, Michigan saw three quarterbacks take the starting position. And yet, they faltered. Bryce Underwood is a key ingredient of the Michigan offense this season, and Sherrone Moore is taking no chances. The QB’s no. 1 competitor is fifth-year transfer Mikey Keene. But even with Underwood as a backup, Lindsey’s balanced offensive strategy plays a key role. Both are contracted through 2027, and both carry the weight of Michigan’s rebuild on their shoulders.

There are added bonuses too, which will be incumbent upon how the team fares in the season. There’s $100,000 coming Lindsey’s way if the team manages to finish in the top 4 in the conference, and a $100,000 more if scoring offense lands in top 5 in FBS. The OC’s more versatile offense widens the arena for Underwood to make use of his full potential. Can Underwood and Chip Lindsey be the solution that ends Michigan’s slump in 2025?