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Bryce Underwood's Development From March to August Detailed by Former Wolverines National Champion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 4:34 PM ET

The Michigan Wolverines are set to open the 2025-26 season this Saturday in Ann Arbor against New Mexico and freshman Bryce Underwood is entrenched as the team's starting quarterback.

Underwood won two state championships in high school with the Belleville (MI) Tigers, a testament to his quarterbacking skills as well as his leadership on the football field.

Michigan and Division-I college football are two entirely different challenges, causing fans to wonder about the development of the nation's number one overall prospect as he enters his first season.

A former Michigan football national champion chimed in with his observations on Underwood's development from spring to fall, shedding light on where the Wolverines prodigy is at with the season just days away.

"A lot of excitement about this team, and you know, young quarterback is grabbing all the headlines," Michigan Athletics host Doug Karsch said to 1997 Wolverines national champion Jon Jansen during the team's season preview episode.

"He is, and what I've seen from him from spring to fall camp, it's been a nice progression," Jansen, who played in the NFL for 10 seasons after his Michigan career, said.

"Every time he comes out here, there's something better that he's doing, maybe he's a little bit more calm with his feet, a little bit more accurate with the ball," Jansen added.

"Early on, a lot of energy, a lot of excitement right, he's sailing a couple of balls and he's throwing them 100 miles an hour to a guy five yards away, now he's starting to show some touch...And some leadership out there as well," the former Wolverines offensive tackle added.

Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey added that he was surprised by the wealth of football knowledge Underwood possesses as an 18-year-old college freshman, something he will need to combat defenses gunning to stop him this season.

Jansen's assessment of Underwood came as the Wolverines signal caller revealed a freshman defensive end who has a scary competitive streak that could be put to good use this season.

Buzz and hype surrounded a dynamic freshman Michigan receiver who is hoping to show what he can do on kickoff returns this weekend.

New Mexico Huge Underdog in Ann Arbor

Michigan is favored by between 34 and 36.5 points over the Lobos this weekend with Jason Eck's team seeking to be competitive at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

The Lobos went 5-7 last season, 3-4 in the Mountain West Conference under former BYU Cougars head coach Bronco Mendenhall, recording a signature win against quarterback John Mateer and the Washington State Cougars.

Mateer is now the starting quarterback for Michigan's toughest non-conference opponent Oklahoma, whom coach Sherrone Moore's team will face in Week 2 in Norman, Oklahoma.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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