Bryce Underwood

Michigan RB Jordan Marshall on early-enrollees: ‘They’re gonna be monsters’

Michigan football trajectory: ! #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — With the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama a seeming afterthought — most didn’t anticipate a second-string Michigan beating a first-string Crimson Tide — most of the attention last week was on the early-enrollees.

Led by five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, there was a litany of high-profile players already working out with the team, including wide receivers Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder, offensive linemen Andrew Babalola and Avery Gach, cornerback Shamari Earls, and defensive tackle Travis Moten.

After the ReliaQuest Bowl win, WolverinesWire asked freshman running back Jordan Marshall of his impression on Underwood and the group, and he didn’t mince words about how good the group may be.

“Bryce, Marsh, you got Avery at O-line, they’re gonna be monsters,” Marshall said. “They already came in and they were making statements big and taking coaching, and that’s all it is, is taking coaching. You know how to play football. They all know how to play football, so the talent we have and the guys that we have that didn’t get to play today, there’s some studs on our team, and Michigan’s in great hands.”

Michigan football fans are certainly happy with an uncharacteristic 8-5 season considering some of the wins. Victories over Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Northwestern (the latter three being trophy games) took away the sting of not being in the College Football Playoff for a fourth straight year.

With that in mind, Marshall says that he’s already been letting the early-enrollees know that this type of season cannot happen again given the team’s goals.

“We can say it’s a good season, but it’s not Michigan standard, and we gotta get it back to the standard, which is bringing national championships back here,” Marshall said. “And like I told Bryce, right when we walked into the locker room, I was like, This isn’t happening again. We’re not playing — we’re playing for the chip. We’re playing for the whole thing, the natty, that’s what we want.”

What Sherrone Moore has seen from Bryce Underwood in Michigan football practice

He was a sight to behold at practice this past week. #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — When rumors started circulating that Michigan football was trying to flip 2025 Belleville (Michigan) five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU, much of college football social media laughed.

Those folks thought there was no way the Wolverines would be able to close out what amounted to a coup. Yet, Sherrone Moore and Sean Magee got the job done, and Underwood is wearing a Michigan uniform and practicing with the team as an early enrollee.

What was Moore’s mindset when it came to making such a big splash in the recruiting pond?

“I think for me, the biggest thing is I just wanted to get the best players possible,” Moore said. “And when you got a kid that’s right down the road, I’m gonna make a big, huge emphasis to keep the best players in Michigan in Michigan. And when you got the best player in the country right down the road, it was vital for us to go get that guy.

“So I wanna do that every year, keep those players in Michigan and not let them go to these different schools, and that was a huge emphasis for me.”

Underwood has had a few weeks of practice at the college football level. How has he handled it? And what is Moore seeing from the former five-star?

It turns out, despite the name, image and likeness licensing price tag associated with him, Underwood is a perfect fit for the Michigan football culture. He’s already mixing in with the existing team like a glove.

“First of all, he’s an unbelievable kid,” Moore said. “The players absolutely adore him. They love him, and all he wants to do is get better and be a great teammate. But he is extremely talented.

“He has great arm strength. He can make all the throws. He can run. He’s gonna be an unbelievable player. When that is, I don’t know, and we’ll figure that out.”

Jon Gruden reacts to seeing Michigan football QB Bryce Underwood at practice

Very NICEY! #GoBlue

Michigan football held its second bowl game practice in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, and it had some special guests in attendance. Not only was Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles (also the father of new Michigan signee, linebacker Troy Bowles) in attendance, but so was former Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden.

In the 15 minutes that WolverinesWire was able watch practice No. 2, Gruden stood near where the quarterbacks were going through their drills. While we don’t know how long Gruden stayed to watch, we do know his reaction to seeing Bryce Underwood for the first time.

It will certainly excite Michigan fans to hear what he had to say, as simple of a reaction as he had.

He can really spin it

— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) Dec. 28, 2024

We can concur, having seen him both at Belleville and in limited viewing at Michigan practice the past two days.

Underwood will not be able to participate in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but he certainly will be in the mix to potentially start in his first year in the program come the fall.

Bryce Underwood enters Michigan football humble, fitting in well as part of the team

He’s already sounding like a #Michigan Man! #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — Michigan football made the biggest recruiting news of the year when it flipped five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU just before the end of the regular season.

Now, as the Wolverines prepare for Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, Underwood has had a little more than a week practicing with his new team as an early enrollee.

While Underwood can’t play in the bowl, getting practices now gives him an inside track to seeing the field early. To see him in person, you can tell he’s an enigmatic prospect, but acting offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula says it isn’t the talent that necessarily stands out to him at this moment. It’s that he’s one of the first players into the building every day, and he isn’t coming in with an aura commensurate with being the top-ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class.

“The biggest thing I would say about him is great spirit, great energy, committed to learning what we’ve got going on,” Casula said. “He’s doing really good. He’s great. He great personality. He’s funny. You know, I watch him depending on the schedule, he walked by my office in the morning. He’s one of the first guys in the building. So he’s been awesome.”

Michigan started former walk-on Davis Warren through much of the 2024 season. Though it appears he is planning to return, he hasn’t shown an iota of jealously toward a man who may take his job next year.

Warren last spoke to the media immediately after Underwood’s first practice last week. Now that Underwood has a week under his belt, he has a stronger impression of what he brings to the table. Like Casula, Warren sees a willing participant, an active learner and someone who isn’t coming in on his high horse thinking he’s already got everything figured out.

“He’s been great. He wants to learn, wants to get better,” Warren said. “Obviously game’s different, and you got to adjust and there’s a lot of things you got to do differently. I learned that coming in, me and J.J., kind of working through a lot of those things together, and I know Bryce is gonna have to do the same, but he’s coming out with the right mindset, the right mentality, and just really is excited to be in here every day and has a passion about getting better football. So that’s the biggest thing I’ve seen out of him. And I know he’s gonna keep doing that and it’s a great addition.

The humility, hard work ethic and willingness to learn doesn’t surprise Casula, because Underwood fits in very well with the ethos of the building. He may be a phenom, but he also is a part of the team — even a week in.

“No, because what I’ve been exposed to at the University of Michigan, that’s how pretty much every guy has entered our program,” Casula said. “And he’s a great fit, and he’s been great. I think I saw (Davis Warren) say like you would never know it. He fits in with all of our other mid-years in the best way possible. I mean that as a big-time compliment. He’s been awesome.”

LOOK: Photos from Michigan football’s first practice in Tampa for ReliaQuest Bowl

Lots of first looks at early enrollees and much more! #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — The last time Michigan football played in Tampa, in what was then the Outback Bowl, all of the hype surrounding the team was about a quarterback who was incoming. Apparently, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

In 2017, that quarterback was transfer Shea Patterson, who was the top signal-caller in his class (2016). But unlike in 2024, Patterson hadn’t joined his team. In 2024, that QB is Bryce Underwood, who cannot play until next year, but as an early enrollee is free to partake in everything that the Wolverines are doing in preparation for the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Whether it’s early enrollees (Underwood, LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, five-star OT Andrew Babalola, WRs Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder, OG Avery Gach were all spotted and photographed, we also saw Bobby Kanka, Julius Holly, and Eli Owens) or players getting ready, we made it to Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit to see the maize and blue in action at the beginning of the first practice for the matchup against Alabama.

Here are some pictures we managed to snag.

FIRST LOOK: Video of Bryce Underwood practicing with Michigan football

He’s already looking darn good! #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — Michigan football is knee-deep in preparation for the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Alabama, but at the same time, it’s preparing for the future.

There are multiple early enrollees from the 2025 recruiting class who traveled with the Wolverines to Tampa, but the one that everyone has their eyes on is the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Friday marked the first time anyone outside of the program has been able to catch a glimpse of Underwood in a Michigan uniform, as the media got to take in about 20 minutes of the Wolverines’ practice. Here is a bit of what we were able to capture of Underwood working out in the early goings of practice.

No, we didn’t see any wow moments as Underwood, more or less, was simply starting initial warmups. But certainly, his size and arm are tantalizing, as he readies himself for an opportunity to potentially start for the maize and blue next year.

Davis Warren after Bryce Underwood’s first practice: He’s ‘the No. 1 recruit in the country’ for a reason

You’re gonna love Warren’s comments here. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former Michigan football walk-on and current starting quarterback Davis Warren hasn’t exactly received an abundance of accolades in his short career. But now he’s being shadowed by arguably the most notable quarterback in the country, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, Bryce Underwood.

The former five-star enrolled in classes this week and took the field for his first practice on Thursday. Though Underwood can’t play in Michigan’s next game, the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama, he will soon be competing with at least Warren for the starting quarterback role next year.

Yet Warren is loving what he’s seeing from the not-yet true freshman.

“Bryce, he’s started to get rolling here with us. And, man, he’s a great kid,” Warren said. “First and foremost, loves football. You can tell he’s a competitor — humble, wants to get better. And I think that’s — I mean, I think it’s a bit of a little bit of a beautiful thing, the way he came in versus the way I come in, you know? Couldn’t be any more different in terms of — I don’t know if there was even an article written about me when I committed, and I’m sure there’s been a lot written about him!

“But you wouldn’t be able to tell. He’s just a guy who wants to get better, wants to improve. Knows he’s got a lot to learn, just like any freshman would. But he’s been great. Today was really his first day the (freshmen are) rolling with us. And, yeah, he wants to help this team win games, just like I do, just like everyone in this building wants to. That’s the way coach Moore built it. He’s built the recruiting classes. And, I’m so glad that Bryce is here, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun to have him.”

Underwood will be brought along slowly. There’s no reason to throw him to the wolves right out of the gates given the earliest he can play in a game is August 2025. But Warren has seen him in limited action throwing the football and he has been impressed.

“Yeah, so we’ve done some things. And you’re not the No. 1 recruit in the country for no reason,” Warren said. “So he’s a super talented kid, and he cares about the details, wants, like I said, wants to get better, wants to do things the right way, and do things the Michigan way.”

Whether fans want to admit it, Underwood will have a learning curve. Though Warren obviously would like to retain his position as the starting quarterback next year, he’s aware of that learning curve while recalling his own experience. And he’s taking it upon himself to help pull Underwood along to lessen it.

As well as to help him understand that he’s not only going to have good days, there are going to be some down ones, too. It’s all about how he works through the latter if he’s to have more of the former.

“We were just trying to get Bryce to help him find his helmet today. So there’s a certain level of getting that all figured out, and making sure you know all those things,” Warren said. “There’s a lot going on. I remember my first practice and just trying to make sure I wasn’t late and everything lined up. But I remember making one good throw and coach Harbaugh hyped me up. And that was kind of what I needed at the time to kind of feel like, OK, I belong and can move forward. And I know Bryce — no one has a perfect career, right? No one — you know, no one. Maybe you can name one or two guys ever that have been that have, but everyone’s had hiccups. I mean, even Peyton Manning threw the most interceptions, I think, for a rookie in NFL history, or whoever you can name anyone.

“So everyone’s going to have ups and downs. I’ve had ups and downs in my career, and he’s going to have ups and downs too. But I know he’s well-suited for it. And that was kind of my message to him, is just take it all in stride. Take it all as a learning opportunity. Be humble, be hungry, and you’ll fit in well here and earn the respect of the guys — because that’s a huge part of playing quarterback is having the respect of the group and knowing that when you’re out there, they can trust you to make the right play and be the competitor to go win the game.”

Underwood will be able to practice throughout ReliaQuest Bowl prep before moving on to winter conditioning, spring ball, summer conditioning, fall camp and then the season. He may have close to 40 practices before he sees the field for the first time, if it comes at the earliest possible opportunity.

Five things to know about LSU quarterback transfer Michael Van Buren

LSU added a transfer QB on Sunday. Here’s a breakdown of LSU’s recent addition.

LSU football signed its fifth transfer of portal season on Sunday, adding Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren.

The move wasn’t a huge splash, but it was a savvy signing for a team in need of quarterback depth. After [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] flipped to Michigan and [autotag]Ricky Collins[/autotag] entered the transfer portal, LSU needed numbers.

LSU is set at quarterback entering 2025, with starter [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] announcing his return, but Van Buren sets up the succession plan. With three years of eligibility and SEC experience, Van Buren arrives with a high ceiling.

The four-star quarterback made an immediate impact with the Bulldogs in 2024. Mississippi State struggled in head coach Jeff Lebby’s first season, but Van Buren was a bright spot.

Van Buren’s play was far from clean, but there’s a lot to like about the young QB. Today, we’ll break down what LSU is getting with the Maryland native.

Here are five things to know about Van Buren.

1. Van Buren throws a nice deep ball

The most impressive element of Van Buren’s young game is his deep ball. His arm isn’t the strongest, but he understands touch and placement.

Van Buren puts his receivers in a position to make a play. He’s accurate and can make a back-shoulder throw on a line or perfectly drop the ball in a bucket. The ball doesn’t explode out of his hand, but he can find the distance.

17.6% of Van Buren’s attempts in 2024 had 20+ air yards or more. According to PFF, his big-time throw rate on such passes ranked sixth among SEC quarterbacks.

2. Van Buren struggles with short accuracy

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

While the deep ball is there, Van Buren’s quick game needs some work. He struggles with accuracy and reading underneath defenders.

Van Buren’s completion rate on throws 0-9 yards ranked dead last in the SEC. His four interceptions on such throws led the conference.

This pick vs. Ole Miss sums it up. Mississippi State’s receiver slips, but this ball was going right to a Rebels’ defender.

As a freshman, things can happen fast. With a year to sit behind Nussmeier, this area of Van Buren’s game should take a step forward.

3. Struggles under pressure, but there’s promise

Overall, Van Buren’s numbers under pressure weren’t good. He averaged 5.8 yards per attempt facing the blitz and posted a 35.9 PFF passing grade under pressure.

The tape shows promise. By the end of the season, Van Buren didn’t panic out of the pocket when under pressure — a trap young quarterbacks often fall into. When he did leave the pocket, he kept his eyes down field.

Even with defenders in his face, he can step into the throw and deliver the ball on target.

4. Van Buren is mobile

Van Buren isn’t a burner, but he’s athletic enough to be a threat with his legs. Defenses had to account for Van Buren when Mississippi State ran the option. That’s something that wasn’t on the table for LSU with Nussmeier.

Van Buren only had two runs of 10+ yards, but notched five rushing touchdowns on the year.

If Van Buren is the starter in 2026, the offense won’t be built around the QB run game, but it may be a factor.

Van Buren’s legs give him flexibility in the pocket, too.

5. Throws with anticipation

Of all the traits, Van Buren’s anticipation offers the most promise. When working the intermediate and deep levels of the field, Van Buren is able to throw his receivers open. You don’t always see that from young quarterbacks.

It’s a sign Van Buren has the mental tools to play this game at a high level. It’s also a signal Van Buren will eventually get this feeling in the quick game.

When you can throw with anticipation, it helps mitigate everything else. Van Buren doesn’t need to rifle the ball in there if he and the receiver are one step ahead of the defender.

Bowl update: Can LSU face Michigan in a bowl game?

Do LSU fans want to see the Tigers face Michigan in a bowl game?

The [autotag]Bryce Underwood[/autotag] recruitment took the college football world by storm over the last month, pitting Michigan against LSU as the two battled for the five-star quarterback.

Michigan won out, flipping the No. 1 overall recruit from the Tigers. It ignited a social media back and forth between the fanbases.

While this stuff doesn’t affect the current rosters on the field — players and coaches have more to worry about than social media recruiting spats between fans — a bowl game with the two programs would bring added intrigue.

A Michigan and LSU bowl date isn’t impossible.

The SEC and Big Ten both have bids to the Music City Bowl in Nashville. And per the recent projections, LSU and Michigan can make the trip.

The USA Today slots the Tigers and Wolverines in Nashville. Other sites have LSU or Michigan in the game but against different opponents.

But with selections to be released on Sunday, this game is on the table.

Surprisingly, LSU and Michigan have never played. Both programs have been around for a long time and are yet to meet in the regular season or a bowl game.

It can be tough to get excited for non-playoff bowl games, but LSU vs. Michigan would pit two of the sport’s top brands against one another. The players would be up for it too.

EXCLUSIVE: Connor Stalions breaks down what makes Bryce Underwood and Elijah Dotson so special

Some really incredible insight into both players! #GoBlue

In late October, there were but mere rumblings that Michigan football was making a late push to lure Bryce Underwood away from LSU. It was message board fodder, rumors that had more than a hint of truth. But very few knew what was going on between the Wolverines and the No. 1 recruit in the country — who happened to play high school ball just 20 minutes down the road.

Even fewer knew that the maize and blue would have an advocate within the Belleville program in short order.

Former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions has become something of a household name in college football after becoming a daily subject in the sport in 2023. In 2024, Stalions was coaching at Detroit (Mich.) Mumford, first as a defensive coordinator before he found himself ultimately serving as the acting head coach. Once Mumford’s season was done, he got a call, and before he knew it, he was set to serve as the Belleville (Mich.) offensive coordinator for the playoffs.

That meant that Stalions was about to be in close proximity to Underwood as well as his also incredibly talented teammate, safety Elijah Dotson.

Underwood was committed to LSU and Dotson to Pitt, but on Nov. 20, Dotson flipped to the Wolverines and Underwood followed suit the next day. To those in the national media, the Dotson news was somewhat expected. The Underwood news was not.

Having coached both for three weeks, Stalions shared his thoughts exclusively with WolverinesWire, remarking first on Underwood and what makes him such a special player.

The Underwood and Stalions family before the Northwestern game in Week 13. Photo: Isaiah Hole

“Anyone can watch Bryce’s highlight tape and see the talent, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t let his physical traits fool you,” Stalions told WolverinesWire. “Bryce is a reassuring example of how hard work and complete dedication to perfecting one’s craft separates the good from the great.

“First guy there, last guy to leave. Wins every sprint in practice. Treats every single rep like his life depends on it. When he’s not on the field or working out, he’s studying the game. Never satisfied. Always looking for ways to improve. Always getting extra work in. He didn’t get to where he is by accident. He’s ALL about football. He’s only 17, so he has plenty of room to continue to grow, but Bryce already conducts himself like a professional. And every kid who looks up to him needs to understand that his work ethic is what got him to where he is. You can achieve what you want to if you relentlessly put in the work.”

Elijah Dotson

The Dotson and Stalions family before the Northwestern game in Week 13. Photo: Isaiah Hole

Though Dotson has been somewhat overshadowed by Underwood in terms of media coverage, Stalions has insisted that he is a powerhouse player in his own right.

Projecting him as a potential multi-year starter, Stalions says that the safety (who also played wide receiver at Belleville) has a lot of unique qualities that will endear him to the Michigan coaching staff and fan base, alike.

“The same can all be said for Elijah,” Stalions said, noting the aforementioned comments about Underwood. “Elijah pops off on film, flying around the field on both sides of the ball, and he loves to hit. He’s super versatile in coverage, but you really want him in the run fit, too. And he’s really smart. Right after the season ended and he decided to commit to Michigan, he immediately shifted his focus to learning Michigan’s defense. That’s the type of guy he is. Ultimate focus. I’m looking forward to seeing E-Dot’s impact on defense and special teams. Don’t be shocked if you see him find his way on the field ahead of schedule.”

Dotson and Underwood sign with Michigan at Belleville High School on Dec. 4, 2024. Photo: Isaiah Hole

Stalions won’t go so far as to say he had an impact in getting both of Michigan football’s future stars to Ann Arbor. And while he didn’t have a ton of time with them overall, as their coach with the Tigers, he learned a lot — not only about the players on the field but who both Underwood and Dotson are as young men.

Through the process, Stalions got to know both the Dotson and Underwood families, and he could see the values instilled in both. Still an avid fan of Michigan, while he wasn’t overtly recruiting the duo to Ann Arbor, he’s more than thrilled to see both set to wear maize and blue — an occasion marked by both signing with the Wolverines on early signing day on Wednesday.

“Elijah and Bryce are both tremendous young men who come from great families,” Stalions said. “They’re both direct reflections of their fathers, whom I’ve gotten to know well. Regarding their recruitment, Elijah and Bryce really couldn’t go wrong with any decision they made. We didn’t talk too much about recruiting — we were dialed in on football itself. But I’m sure they had difficult decisions, as does everyone who goes through the process. I was only with them for three weeks this season, and I could tell after one practice that they would both succeed regardless of where they played college football. Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out I’m ecstatic to see both of them go to Michigan. But what’s even cooler for me is that I was looking forward to see them play college ball regardless of where it was — now I’ll only have to drive right down the road to see them play.”