Urban Meyer explains why he is not 'pumping the brakes' on Bryce Underwood: 'I love this player'

Through two games at Michigan, freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood has shown flashes of his potential after arriving as the nation’s top-rated recruit. Even despite a loss at Oklahoma last week, Urban Meyer said he’s not “pumping the brakes” just yet.

Meyer had high praise for Underwood this week following his second career start, which came on the big stage in Norman. He predicted the former Five Star Plus+ recruit is going to have a great career because of the traits he brings to the table, even so early in his career.

When it comes to taking on Oklahoma on the road, Meyer said that’s not a spot for a true freshman to necessarily lead his team to a win. That’s where the rest of the group comes into play, and that’s where he said things went wrong for the Wolverines. But the former Florida and Ohio State head coach made it clear he’s all-in on Underwood.

“Don’t pump the brakes on Bryce Underwood,” Meyer told BTN’s Gerry DiNardo. “He’s going to be fantastic. I love this player. His release, his everything looks fantastic. But true freshmen are not supposed to go on the road and win games at Oklahoma. Now, the rest of the team was expected to go [and win], and they didn’t.”

Underwood made his collegiate debut in Week 1 against New Mexico and put together a solid showing. He went 21 of 31 for 251 yards and a touchdown as Michigan got the 34-17 victory to kick off the season. He had an up-and-down go against Oklahoma, though, completing 9 of 24 passes for 142 yards as the Sooners came away with the 24-13 win. Still, Underwood showed flashes of his potential in the effort.

Urban Meyer shares when the ‘true freshman’ label goes away

As for when Bryce Underwood can shed the “true freshman” label, Urban Meyer said his approach during his career depended on a couple factors. For one, the schedule played a role.

But when it came to Week 4 or Week 5 of the season, Meyer would tell his quarterbacks to quit thinking of themselves as “true freshmen” learning the game. With the amount of snaps they’ll have played, the experience will be there.

“There’s two things,” Meyer said. “First of all, it’s a player, obviously, but it’s also a schedule. If you start getting – I think they got some games coming up that he’s gonna get comfortable and get to know his people. Remember, it’s true freshman.

“So after Week 4 and Week 5, I would tell our true freshmen, I don’t want to hear it anymore. I’d tell the media I don’t hear anymore, because the player will keep remembering, ‘Well, I’m a true freshman.’ You’re not. You’re a veteran player now. Act like it. Play like it.”