Bryce Underwood's 2025 Season to Date: Michigan Freshman's Rocky Start Amid Sky-High Expectations
By Jason Bolton October 07, 2025 19:11
Bryce Underwood, the five-star quarterback phenom from Belleville High School, entered the 2025 college football season as Michigan's most anticipated freshman in a generation. The No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2025—boasting a 247Sports Composite rating of 0.9999—signed with the Wolverines in December 2024, turning down Ohio State and LSU to stay close to home. With a cannon arm, 4.6 speed, and high school stats that scream legend (2,762 yards, 37 TDs in an unbeaten 2024 state title run), Underwood was tabbed as Michigan's QB of the future. But six weeks in, at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten, his debut campaign has been a tale of promise, pitfalls, and pressure. As the No. 15 Wolverines prepare for Week 7 at Indiana, here's a deep dive into Underwood's season so far—highlights, stats, struggles, and why this "next big thing" is still finding his footing.
High School Flashback: The Belleville Bullet's Unbeaten Legacy
Underwood's prep career at Belleville (MI) was pure fireworks. A three-year starter, he exploded as a senior in 2024, leading the Buccaneers to a perfect 14-0 record and Michigan's Division 1 state championship. His stats? Elite: 2,762 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 4 interceptions (68.5% completion), plus 512 rushing yards and 8 scores. Underwood's arm talent shone in playoff gems, like a 42-28 title win over Hudsonville where he threw for 312 yards and 4 TDs. Named Michigan's Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year, he racked up offers from 30+ programs before committing to Michigan in July 2024. "Bryce is the total package," coach Mike Elston said. His high school tape—laser deep balls and no-look passes—had scouts comparing him to a young Trevor Lawrence.
College Debut: A Dream Start vs. New Mexico (Week 1)
Underwood's Michigan debut couldn't have scripted better. Named the starter over junior Alex Orji on August 25, he took the field August 30 against New Mexico in Ann Arbor. In a 38-17 rout before 109,000 fans, Underwood went 18-of-25 for 248 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding 42 rushing yards. His first collegiate TD—a 45-yard strike to Semaj Morgan—drew roars, and a 22-yard scramble sealed the deal. "It felt like high school, but faster," Underwood said postgame, hugging dad George (a Belleville assistant coach). PFF graded him 88.2 overall, with a 92.1 passer rating. Michigan's 1-0 start validated the hype, and Underwood's poise earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
The Learning Curve: Struggles in Big Ten Battles (Weeks 2-6)
The shine faded quickly. Week 2's 24-13 loss to No. 8 Oklahoma exposed Underwood's inexperience: 9-of-24 for 142 yards, no TDs, no INTs, but three sacks and a fumble. "Oklahoma's front seven was no joke," coach Sherrone Moore admitted. Underwood's mechanics faltered under pressure, with a 52.3 completion rate and 68.9 passer rating. Michigan dropped to 1-1.
Recovery came in Week 3's 31-10 win over Fresno State, where Underwood bounced back with 215 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT on 19-of-28 passing, plus 56 rushing yards. But Week 4's 28-21 upset loss to unranked USC was a gut punch: 14-of-31 for 189 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, sacked four times. Underwood's footwork issues led to hurried throws, and a late interception sealed the defeat. "He's learning on the fly," Moore said.
Week 5's 27-24 thriller win over Nebraska offered hope: 22-of-35 for 278 yards, 3 TDs (including a game-winning 32-yarder to Roman Wilson), no INTs, and 48 rushing yards. Underwood's 112.4 passer rating was his best yet. But Week 6's 34-17 rout of Washington saw regression: 16-of-29 for 201 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, with three sacks. Michigan's 3-3 mark leaves them on the playoff bubble.
Season Stats to Date: The Numbers Behind the Hype
Through 6 games (5 starts), Underwood's line: 88-of-172 passing (51.2% completion) for 1,273 yards, 11 TDs, 6 INTs, 88.7 passer rating. He's added 214 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 38 carries (5.6 YPC). Positives: 7.4 yards per attempt and 4.1 air yards per throw show arm strength. Negatives: 9 sacks taken (league-high for QBs with 150+ attempts) and a 45.3% completion under pressure highlight protection woes. PFF grades him 72.1 overall (top-40 freshman QBs), with an 81.2 in clean pockets. Underwood ranks 18th nationally in total offense (248.8 YPG).
Outlook: Freshman Struggles or Future Star?
At 18, Underwood's season mirrors young gunslingers like Caleb Williams (2022 USC: 53.1% completion early). Michigan's O-line injuries (three starters out) and a tough schedule (No. 8 Oklahoma, USC) explain the bumps. "Bryce is our guy," Moore insists, pointing to his 300-yard potential. With games vs. Indiana (easy win?) and Michigan State looming, Underwood could climb Heisman odds (+5000) if he hits 300+ yards weekly. Fan Arch sees this as classic empowerment: A phenom owning his freshman fire, turning trials into triumphs.
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