Bryce Underwood began college football as the top-rated quarterback of the entire 2025 class. He has always carried that “future superstar” tag. That same sort of ceiling coaches dream about and scouts can’t stop gushing about. He has been slowly eased in by Michigan, allowing him to develop at his own speed. With a receiver room that is far from elite, he shows flashes of brilliance one moment and rawness the next. And right now, ESPN dropped its newest freshman rankings, and Underwood isn’t even in the top three.

At this point, it almost seems poetic. The rise, the fall, the panic because Bryce Underwood is going through the whole freshman experience. ESPN’s Billy Tucker said it best when he pointed out that the nation’s top recruit started the season “under immense scrutiny” and has made “steady progress,” praising how the Wolverine QB ripped up Washington 21-of-27 for 230 yards while being “extremely accurate and poised in his progressions.” Still, Underwood was not ranked in the top three alongside Bo Jackson of Ohio State, Bear Bachmeier, and Malachi Toney when ESPN updated their rankings.

He was supposed to be the most ready-made star in the whole 2025 class, but instead, he checked in at No. 7. But this is what happens when real-time pressure and promise meet. Also, the Northwestern game provided a glimpse of Bryce Underwood’s experience. It was, in fact, “the best of Bryce and the worst of Bryce.” With a 10-for-11 start and the confidence of a three-year starter, he dominated the Wildcats. Then came the fourth quarter, which represented his freshman year, during which he bounced between brilliance and disaster. Now that ended up in three straight turnovers.

Then, Underwood delivered the best play of his young career, a game-winning drive that showed why Michigan was willing to give the keys to an 18-year-old worth $12M in the first place and why ESPN continues to rave about his “undeniable arm strength and athleticism.” Even Sherrone Moore couldn’t ignore the turnovers. But he refused to let that drown the good. “People will talk about the turnovers ….but I hope people talk about that third-down throw to Andrew Marsh… and that run on third-and-5,” he said.

FOX analyst Joel Klatt echoed that balance, calling Bryce “a microcosm of the roller coaster” this young Michigan team is riding. And somehow the Wolverines are 9–0 in games Bryce finishes. That’s why the ESPN drop stings, but it also explains it. Underwood isn’t polished. He isn’t consistent. But he’s fearless, still growing, and that might be worth more than any ranking right now.

Why did ESPN rank three freshman above Bryce Underwood

The most challenging part for Michigan fans is that ESPN’s top three is made up of three freshmen who have excelled, starting with Miami’s Malachi Toney. Despite being one of the youngest players in the nation when he reclassified and joined the ACC, he continued to play as if he had been there for years. On paper, he three-star. But in real life, he’s a five-star challenge for defenses. Toney has been the steady beating heart of Miami’s offense, leading all freshmen receivers in snaps, targets, and catches. He’s had 100-yard games in a row against Louisville and Florida State. And that’s how you get Carson Beck’s trust and turn into the ACC’s top target guy.

Then there’s Bear Bachmeier, the young guy who, before Jake Retzlaff’s transfer in August to Tulane, wasn’t even expected to start for BYU. Instead, he took charge, handled the pressure with ease, and led the Cougars to an 8-0 Start like a seasoned team leader. Texas Tech humbled him, but 296 yards and a running touchdown against TCU proved why ESPN ranked him second. With over 2,600 all-purpose yards and a top-20 QBR, he is a dual threat.

Bo Jackson of Ohio State, a bruiser with breakaway speed who has made Ryan Day’s offense his own highlight reel, is ranked at No.3 . Staying at home has paid off, as he became the first Buckeye to rush for more than 100 yards in his first two games. He is now Ohio State’s backbone to relieve the burden on Julian Sayin, with four 100-yard games and 725 yards at more than six yards per rush. And that’s who Bryce Underwood is up against, not one but three freshmen who have been carrying their teams week after week.