'Even-keeled' Bryce Underwood wins starting QB job with more than physical traits

In what was the worst-kept secret in Ann Arbor, Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore confirmed reports that freshman sensation Bryce Underwood will be the starting quarterback for the Wolverines’ season-opener against New Mexico.

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The news came to the surprise of absolutely no one who has been paying attention, as it was clear from the start that Underwood offered everything that Moore was looking for in a starter.

It might not have been the first day of camp, but Underwood seized control of the team and made some eye-opening plays that told Moore everything he needed to know about the former five-star recruit.

“Probably halfway through camp,” Moore said. “Figured that this guy’s pretty good, think this guy might be the guy, and hit a scrimmage. And I think it was the first time we went into the stadium. He made a couple throws, and I just looked at Chip, and he just nodded at me and looked at Coach Poggi, who was behind me, and was like, yeah, I think this is the guy. But you wanted to see him do that every day, every practice, every time we went into the stadium.”

While it might’ve been the obvious choice to the naked eye, Moore told the team and Underwood during a meeting on Sunday that he would be leading the offense onto the field on Saturday.

The cool customer that Underwood is, he took it all in stride. However, it’s certainly going to be a watershed moment for the entire family.

“Told them all yesterday,” Moore said. “He was as calm as he always is. I think his dad was a little bit more excited and more emotional about it than Bryce was. And, you know, he was very happy, though. Bryce is a very even-keeled kid. He doesn’t get up too high or too low. But he was very excited about the opportunity, and he said that’s why he came here, you know, to be that guy and not given the opportunity because he earned it. So Dad said he might shed a tear on Saturday. I’m sure he will. I’m sure Mom will, too. But he’s definitely earned the opportunity.”

Underwood’s arm talent and ability to stretch plays has been well-documented and will be on full display on Saturday.

There are other things that stood out to Moore, too, especially on the mental side that separated Underwood from the pack.

Being a true freshman isn’t easy, but Moore believes that Underwood’s mental makeup will give him the right stuff to be successful right away.

“One, you put him in adverse situations, and he responds,” Moore said. “Doesn’t really, you know, never makes the same mistake twice. Even if he makes a mistake, it doesn’t come back, and it’s the same thing. You’re like, oh, dude, we got to go through the scan. That didn’t happen. And when you have the other teammates around you talking about him, especially on defense, and them coming up to him and saying, hey, good job, but, you know, having those conversations, then you kind of know. I mean, he just talks to everybody.

“He assimilates with everybody, offense, defense, DBs, D tackles, O-line, D-line. When you feel like somebody gravitates and he’s got the team, then you feel like you got your quarterback.”