Bryce Underwood Makes Tough Admission on Football Career After Michigan QB’s Blunder Forces Sherrone Moore Into Damage Control

As Bryce Underwood walked into the playoffs with Bellville, former Michigan Wolverines analyst Connor Stalions, would sit and watch his games. Later, he would have a little chat with the 5-star prospect. He wouldn’t talk about Michigan to him though, the conversations were mostly about football and Bryce’s goals. Those talks with Connor not only made an impression on Underwood but also became one of the reasons why he had Michigan in his final three options. However, in January 2024, he still chose LSU.

Imagine Underwood in that purple and gold entering the Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and piecing passes like effortless darts game after game. This scenario was very much possible. But Sherrone Moore wouldn’t have gotten his prized possession, and Brian Kelly would still be commending Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton’s recruitment. Still, with a 6-month long chase, a FaceTime with former Wolverine Tom Brady, some persuasion from financial supporters of Michigan– Oracle’s founder Larry Ellison, and a promise of reported $10.5- $12 million NIL money, Bryce Underwood discarded that purple and gold. He donned that maize and blue and came to Ann Arbor, clearly admitting that the flip was “a family thing, a business aspect.”

But business also means you have to prove your worth. As he signed his commitment to Michigan in December, he knew, “It’s time for the next level,” but that’s not exactly the smoothest transitions. When Bryce suited up to go into the annual spring game on April 19 for his Blue team that won 17-0 over team Maize, the growing pains of his freshman season were quite visible, making the rookie realize what the next few years of his collegiate football career would look like.

On his YouTube channel, the QB vlogged about the day he went to throw a pitch for the Detroit Tigers. In the video, he was asked, “Is college how you thought it was going to be in the beginning?” The thoughtful 17-year-old replied, “College made me re-recognize who I am“. The interviewer interjected, “In what way?”. The QB replied. “Like… how my play style actually is like. It showed how fast I got to play and how I’m actually capable of doing that. It’s been smooth, I’ve been having fun.“

Now that’s saying a lot for a prospect that 247Sports mentioned, “Builds speed and dodges defenders as an open-field runner.” But of course, we can see why this talented star wants to improve– the QB battle. During the spring practices, he must have realized that the QB1 spot may not be so easy to take. He already has to battle against Mikey Keene, the Fresno State transfer, and Davis Warren might have become thorns in Underwood’s QB1 dream. And Jadyn Davis?

“I’ve never been scared to compete… I’m going to do what is right for me and my family. ” Declared Jadyn Davis and made his stance on the QB1 battle clear. Then, after the spring practices culminated and spring games rolled in, a whole new scenario came to life. Let’s just say Bryce Underwood didn’t have the performance that 40,000 Michigan folks at the Big House were expecting.

The QB threw for 187 yards, completing just 12 of his 26 passes, and even took a sack on his first snap. The spring games brought out the current reality. It looks like the Belleville native has finally understood the difference and the high-stakes environment he is going to face in college football.

With three QBs sniffing a single lapse and ready to pounce on any opportunity to take the QB1 spot. The issue becomes not of how well you can perform, but of how consistently you can deliver those top-notch performances. There’s no room for lapse and rest in college football, not for coaches and not for players.

Moreover, when you have a multimillion-dollar NIL and a generational talent tag stuck on you, you have to make every snap count, even in open scrimmages. Still, we have to remember that even the coaches know that Bryce is just a 17-year-old kid, and as harsh as we can be on his non-performance, there should always be room for second chances. And the Michigan HC does understand that.

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Sherrone Moore becomes defensive for Bryce Underwood

Despite some of the issues with Bryce Underwood’s Spring game, he eventually led his team to a 17-0 win and also showed some glimpses of his elite caliber. For instance, the scrimmage ending 88-yard pass to tight end Jalen Hoffman was a treat to watch as it landed in a reverse flea-flicker. So, when head coach Sherrone Moore was asked about Underwood’s performance, the head coach defended his QB.

“He did well. Made some really good throws and had some things we need to clean up and get better at. But he’s a continued work in progress, and he’s more than capable of doing it“. Well, even Sherrone Moore knows that Spring games right now are becoming less symbolic, where teams do not even run their actual plays and opt to be more rudimentary on both sides of the ball.

It is possible that Bryce Underwood’s performance was marred by just performing under ‘simplistic’ conditions. But even if there were any issues (even minor) left in the QB’s game, Sherrone Moore will make sure it will not flow into the fall camp, and Underwood becomes game-sharp. Even the QB will have to perform with a chip on his shoulder with three other QBs breathing down his neck throughout the 2026 season.