The Michigan Wolverines officially have a new starting quarterback and, as expected, former five-star recruit Bryce Underwood is the team’s QB1. After weeks of rumors about Underwood eventually being named the starter, Michigan made the news official by releasing an announcement on social media on August 25, 2025.
“Official: @BryceUnderwoo16 has been named our starting QB,” the official Michigan X account posted.
Underwood had been competing against Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and Jadyn Davis among others for the starting gig. The new Michigan quarterback appears to be thrilled with the news.
Underwood posted a photo of the back of his Michigan jersey to his Instagram Story. The star quarterback also reposted Michigan’s announcement to his Instagram page.
Here’s what you need to know about Underwood’s upside heading into the college football season.
Michigan HC Sherrone Moore on Bryce Underwood: ‘Just Did the Things the Right Way’
Underwood enters Michigan as one of the more highly touted college football recruits in recent memory. The quarterback was On3’s No. 1 ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class.
“Just did the things the right way and used his skill and never tried to do too much,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said on August 25, per ESPN’s Jake Trotter. “For a young guy, he was very mature beyond his years, and he’s only 18 years old.
“He’s going to make mistakes, but that’s what we’re here for, coaches and players. We’re all going to support him.”
Michigan Named Jadyn Davis as the Wolverines Backup Quarterback Behind Bryce Underwood
Sherrone Moore said “halfway through camp” that Bryce Underwood started really turning the heads of coaches, and signs were there he would be Michigan’s starting quarterback.
There is a bit of surprise behind Underwood on the quarterback depth chart. Davis beat out Keene to be Michigan’s backup quarterback behind Underwood, per Trotter. Keene had been an anticipated transfer as Fresno State’s former starting quarterback.
Michigan takes on New Mexico on Saturday, August 30, to open the team’s season. Underwood’s first major test may come on September 6 as Michigan battles No. 18 Oklahoma on the road.
Bryce Underwood’s Inked a Historic NIL Deal Topping $10 Million With Michigan: Report
🗣️ @UMichFootball QB Bryce Underwood
Underwood landed a massive NIL deal to flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan in the final weeks of his recruitment. CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson reported that Underwood landed a $10 million NIL deal, but On3’s projections have this number closer to $12 million.
On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Underwood is the second highest-paid quarterback (based on the NIL numbers that have been made public to On3) in college football this season. Underwood will earn $3 million at Michigan during his freshman season.
“On3’s No. 1 recruit in the 2025 cycle flipped from LSU to Michigan last fall and is now trending to start for the Wolverines in 2025 as a true freshman,” Nakos wrote in an August 21, story titled, “Tracking college football’s highest-paid quarterbacks.”
“Underwood landed one of the most lucrative NIL packages to date for a recruit and is set to earn $3 million this season as part of a four-year deal, per sources.”
Underwood’s very public NIL deal puts the freshman quarterback under the microscope before ever taking a snap for the Wolverines. It will be worth watching how Underwood performs given the high level of pressure that will be placed on the star’s shoulders.
Bryce Underwood Reacts to Major Michigan Announcement Before College Football Season