After just three games into the 2025 college football season, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is seeing the unfortunate side effects of overhype. There are always a couple of players every year who receive heaps of praise, even if they’ve done little to deserve it. If not careful, that could be exactly what happens with Michigan’s Bryce Underwood.
Proceeding with caution, Bleacher Report’s Adam Kramer believes that if there is any quarterback in the country people should hitch their wagons to, it’s Underwood, not Manning, calling him “the future of college football.”
“Although we might feel reluctant to bestow hype on any player given what we’ve seen over the past month, especially at this position, there’s no need to worry. College football’s next superstar quarterback has arrived, whether we’re ready to admit it now or not,” Kramer wrote.
If you just look at the stat sheets, nothing would be too noticeable about Underwood. His best game was against New Mexico in his debut, completing 21-of-31 pass attempts for 251 yards and one touchdown. Since then, against Oklahoma and Central Michigan, he’s 25-for-49 for 377 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But there’s just something different about him that shows his unlimited potential.
“The way he moves. The way he throws. The mechanics. The feel. The confidence. The size. The arm. If you were asked to buy stock in any quarterback nationally, he would be the answer,” Kramer wrote.
There Must Be Caution With Michigan’s Bryce Underwood
Early praise for young quarterbacks has gone awry so many times before. What happens then is the players end up suffering because of it while those who praised them seemingly walk away unscathed.
“Given just how poorly many of the nation’s most hyped quarterbacks have played of late, never has the timing to make such a proclamation been so poor,” Kramer wrote. “But sometimes, even after only three games, the player and the flashes are so spectacular, one can’t help but wonder just how spectacular he could become in time.”
Manning isn’t the only hyped quarterback to fizzle out so far this season. Florida’s DJ Lagway, another former five-star, has played poorly. He and Manning rank first and third in the SEC in interceptions.
While it’s hard not to be excited about Underwood and what he can accomplish, being mindful of his progression will be key. After all, he just turned 18 back in August.
Bryce Underwood Already Considered Top NFL Prospect
There are signs that the hype train is changing tracks, with Manning becoming yesterday’s news.
Already CBS Sports’ Cooper Petagna has Underwood ranked as the No. 1 NFL quarterback prospect in college, despite him not being eligible for another two years after this season. The Longhorns quarterback isn’t even on the list now.
Underwood’s No. 1 ranking puts him above players like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (second), South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers (sixth) and Miami’s Carson Beck (eighth).
Perhaps first we should let Underwood get more than just three games on his résumé before padding his ego.
The Wolverines will give their young quarterback his next challenge on September 20 when they go on the road to face Nebraska. It will be Underwood’s second-biggest road test already, with Oklahoma the first.
Bryce Underwood Called ‘Future of College Football’ Over Arch Manning