After Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham, all eyes immediately shifted to Bryce Underwood. The 19-year-old quarterback responded positively after meeting the new head coach but stopped short of committing, leaving his future very much in doubt.

According to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, Underwood spoke to the media on Saturday and had nothing but positive things to say about Kyle Whittingham after the new head coach introduced himself to the team. However, when asked about his future in Ann Arbor, the 19-year-old made it clear he isn’t rushing anything. Underwood said he wants more time and plans to talk things over with his family after the bowl game against Texas before making a final decision.

“Very excited to figure out what kind of guy he is,” Underwood said. “I don’t really know too much about him. I’m just excited to figure out what kind of guy he is.”

Whittingham’s first impression could go a long way in shaping Underwood’s decision to stay put. From the beginning, the quarterback made it clear that his choice would come down to who was leading the Wolverines after Sherrone Moore. Moore played a huge role in bringing Underwood to Michigan, despite being fired. So it’s only natural for the QB to want reassurance that the program is still in good hands. That said, Underwood seems comfortable with Whittingham taking over.

He even shared the news of Whittingham’s hiring on Instagram. Underwood arrived in Michigan with a massive NIL deal as a five-star freshman and quickly became the face of the program. He led Michigan to a 9–3 record in his first season as the starter. However, the passing game had its ups and downs. Kyle Whittingham has built a reputation for winning in the trenches and leaning on the run game, but he has also consistently developed quarterbacks and built offenses that can score. Fans are well aware of that.

“If he stays, he’ll get developed and win. More importantly, it shows the kind of character the NFL loves to see in its draft prospects,” one fan said.

For that vision to fully click, though, Jason Beck needs to lock in his spot as Michigan’s new offensive coordinator. Beck’s system puts a lot on the quarterback, especially as a runner. The formula helped Utah’s Devon Dampier rack up 2,867 total yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025. With Underwood, Beck would likely open things up even more by leaning into aggressive vertical passing, rather than a conservative approach.

That fits perfectly with scouting reports that highlight Underwood’s gunslinger mindset and elite deep-ball accuracy. Put it all together, and the pieces line up neatly. Whittingham is expected to meet with Underwood, if he hasn’t already, to ensure he fully buys into the new staff. For now, all signs suggest Underwood likes where Michigan is headed and isn’t actively looking to leave.

Bryce Underwood’s way of teasing the Michigan fans

The QB situation at Ann Arbor is messy, and Bryce Underwood clearly knows his worth. That is exactly why the 19-year-old is teasing so much with his decision. On a day when half the country was doomscrolling coaching rumors, Underwood posted an Instagram story of himself taking a snap in a Michigan uniform with a simple “Merry Christmas.” This wasn’t happening in a vacuum.

Michigan had just fired Sherrone Moore with cause. It detonated the stability that helped lure the former five-star to Ann Arbor in the first place. But now Underwood’s camp knows he can leave easily. There’s reportedly no buyout tied to his NIL deal. And other powers would line up if he even sniffed the portal. Michigan hasn’t treated Underwood like just another blue-chip. They’ve treated him like the program’s future.

Tom Brady jumped on Zoom and FaceTime to recruit and mentor him, giving the kid direct access to the most famous Wolverine of all time. The school’s collective reportedly stacked a four-year NIL package in the $10–12 million range. And it’s not like the fit hasn’t worked. But now the real question is if Underwood will be able to boom under Kyle Whittingham.

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Right now, he’s focused on Texas and the Citrus Bowl, and he’s waiting to see the new staff before making any long-term decision.