The 2026 Michigan football team looks markedly different from last year’s squad. A new leader at the helm of the ship in the form of head coach Kyle Whittingham, a duo of new coordinators and a multitude of transfers give the Wolverines a new look entering fall competition. But at the center of it all, quarterback Bryce Underwood remains the linchpin.
As Whittingham and company bring in new tools and systems to get Michigan to the standard its fans expect, Underwood’s performance will be scrutinized more than ever.
“We see Bryce every day, we know what he knows, where he’s at and where we need him to get and the time and effort he’s putting into everything,” Whittingham said Monday. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but we feel good about Bryce’s progress right now.”
Since switching his commitment from LSU to the Wolverines in Nov 2024, Underwood holds a litany of expectations and opinions around him. And frankly, his 2025 performance didn’t hold up to the $12 million anticipation. By the time Underwood played the last snap of his freshman year in the Citrus Bowl, he accumulated 202 completions in 335 attempts and failed to show the command that was expected of him.
Not all of Michigan’s 2025 pitfalls can be put on Underwood’s shoulders, though. At the end of the day, expectations or not, Underwood was still an untested freshman entering collegiate competition with no prior experience. Further, he was partnered with a coach who, in retrospect, was unfit to guide Underwood into this new terrain.
Now in just seven months under Whittingham’s leadership, Underwood’s coaches have noted immense growth in Underwood’s technical abilities.
“We’re trying to challenge and attack the defense, we do a lot,” offensive coordinator Jason Beck said August 5. “… (Underwood) clearly studies and prepares and works hard and learns and is a smart kid. Now it’s just a matter of getting all these reps that we can get to get him prepared with everything.”
Beck highlighted that Underwood has developed much cleaner footwork and an ability to remain comfortable in pocket longer as he works through his progression. Underwood is certainly putting in the work on his end to make such strides, but no small part of his development is likely thanks to a beefed-up offensive line. Whittingham, Beck and offensive line coach Jim Harding have spent significant time putting together a strong offensive front to give Underwood more time in the pocket and reinstate Michigan’s rushing confidence. And while the front five are still being finalized, the changes have felt significant enough for Underwood to share that this is the best he’s felt behind any offensive line he’s played behind before.
Beyond giving Underwood and the Wolverines the best tools in each position to be successful, Beck has also brought in a fresh scheme that looks to reinvigorate Michigan’s offense. The scheme highlights his players best skillsets, including allowing room for Underwood to use his legs, something Wolverines fans saw mere glimpses of last season. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Jim Harding brings a complex defensive scheme that, while playing against, has allowed Underwood to better develop his ability to read opponents’ coverages, something he notably struggled with last year.
In short, Underwood has been given a slew of tools to help him succeed. A tougher offensive front, new threats down the field, a fresh offensive scheme and unwavering support from the coaching staff puts Underwood in a very secure position to start the 2026 season.
“My goal is to be the best,” Underwood said July 30 at Big Ten Football Media Days. “No matter what.”
Underwood hasn’t allowed the pressure to affect his outward confidence. Whittingham is building a system that gives Underwood the best chance for success, one that he wasn’t equipped with last year. But if the 2025 struggles persist into the fall, Underwood is ultimately running out of time, and excuses, to live up to the outside and self-imposed expectations.
