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Dave Portnoy claims Bryce Underwood may be the best freshman in college football history

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko09/06/25nickkosko59
USATSI_26970939 (1)
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy claimed Michigan QB Bryce Underwood might be the best freshman in college football, ever. That’s right, ever!

Underwood looked impressive in his first start for the Wolverines in a win over New Mexico last week. But, going into Week 2 anyway, Underwood has a bigger challenge: Oklahoma and Brent Venables’ defense.

However Portnoy, a Michigan man, is quite confident in Underwood and the Wolverines on the road Saturday night. He even cited new Big Noon coworker Urban Meyer as someone who raved over the quarterback.

“I would on a scale of 10, I’m like an eight (that Michigan is going to win),” Portnoy said on Big Noon Kickoff. “I think Bryce Underwood, I’ve sat with Urban, I’ve sat with all the quarterbacks, they’re drooling about this guy Bryce Underwood. They can’t believe what they see on tape. He’s like a supernova. Now, I hope they use his legs. He didn’t run at all last week. I think they’re saving it for this week. I think he may be the single best freshman ever in college football. So I like Michigan.”

Meyer wanted to pump the brakes a little bit, considering some of the other top tier freshmen he’s coached and seen. But he gave credit to Underwood’s ability.

“Ever is a big word, but what I saw is what I saw. And I made a comment. I’ve had a couple of them,” Meyer said. “And that’s like a Percy Harvin or a Tebow or Zeke Elliott. When you see that cat, you’re like, my gosh, I saw that last week. That was against New Mexico though, and there’s no doubt they told him not to run. There (were) a couple of times last week he should have ran. He didn’t … But the forward pass is back in Ann Arbor.”

Barstool and Pardon My Take’s Dan “Big Cat” Katz said to not forget about the QB opposite Underwood. While the freshman is impressive, Oklahoma’s John Mateer could be Heisman worthy, especially after Saturday.

“Listen, I think everyone’s talking about the wrong quarterback. It’s John Mateer in this game,” Big Cat said. “This is going to be his coming out party. Everyone’s talking about Bryce Underwood. He’s on the road playing against the Venables defense. First start on the road, John Mateer is the guy. He’s going to win this game, and that will be the buzz coming out.”