Bryce Underwood Confirmed as Michigan’s Starting Quarterback After Focused Offseason Work

Coaches say technical gains and a revamped offense must show up as fewer turnovers when fall camp and early games begin.

Overview

Michigan has named Underwood the starter for 2026 after an offseason of targeted work with quarterback trainer Jordan Palmer and exposure to Joe Burrow’s calm-pocket approach.
Coaches at Big Ten Media Days reported clearer footwork and better pocket presence from Underwood under new offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
Underwood has publicly doubled down on high goals such as a College Football Playoff run and elite individual awards and says he has no regrets about those statements.
His freshman year produced 2,428 passing yards with an about 60% completion rate, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, with turnovers and fundamentals singled out as areas to fix.
The immediate test of progress will be Michigan’s fall camp and the early-season games, with new staff additions including a dedicated quarterbacks coach and offensive-line help expected to affect his development and the team’s results.