Michigan QB Bryce Underwood a 'smooth operator,' Wolverines expect more 'explosive plays' in passing game

Michigan Wolverines football went through a rough 2024 season offensively, ending the year as the only team in the nation without a passing play for 40-plus yards.

The offense was a slog overall. Michigan recorded fewer than 300 total yards in nine of 13 contests, and passed for less than 200 in all but two. An amazing and damning statistic all on its own, Michigan went 4-0 when passing for fewer than 100 yards, beating Minnesota (86), Alabama (75), Ohio State (62) and USC (32).

It’s not a hot take, but the entire Michigan program feels confident those sorts of struggles won’t repeat themselves in 2025. Head coach Sherrone Moore brought in coordinator Chip Lindsey to inject some life into the offense, and the quarterback play will be much better with freshman Bryce Underwood in the fold.

“It’s been a major focus on being very detail-oriented at what we do, and then explosive plays, chunk plays in the passing game,” Michigan co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Steve Casula said on the progression of the passing game since last year. “That’s what Coach Lindsey has been really successful at doing that, and in the past here we’ve been very successful at doing it. But those have been the focal points — detail, execution of the same plays over and over again — and then finding ways to hit big ones.”

You get what you emphasize, coaches often say, and Michigan is certainly working on the aerial attack. Players on the defensive side have noticed, saying they’re being tested much more, and the wide receivers and tight ends are excited for what’s to come.

But there are no good coaches without good players, and Michigan’s improvement offensively may start with Underwood in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 228-pounder was the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, and he’s widely expected to open the season behind center.

Casula broke down what he’s seen from Underwood this fall camp.

“Bryce keeps his cool,” Casula said. “Smooth operator. Just makes football look clean, efficient. He’s wonderfully gifted, but works really hard at it. He’s kinda got a calming presence about him, which he’s 17. You don’t really know what to expect at 17 years old. Smooth operator, and he’s got all the tools and can make all the throws.”

Underwood turns 18 years old Tuesday, Aug. 19, roughly a week and a half before Michigan opens the season with an Aug. 30 home game against New Mexico.

The combination of Lindsey’s offensive scheme blended with Michigan’s smashmouth identity and Underwood’s ability behind center has the Wolverines confident they’ll improve.

“It’s impossible to say that just because of A, B or C, D happened,” Casula said when asked if scheme or personnel is the main driver. “Just through the commitment to identifying that’s an area that we need to grow … and it’s all 11 people. It’s not just quarterback. It’s not just this or that wideout. It’s how we protect. It’s how we use the tailback in the passing game.

“All of those things tied together are kinda what lead you to that answer, because if I could answer that, that’s a million-dollar question.

“Is it about the plays or the players? I would always defer to say that it’s the players. It’s a great question, but I think it’s both.”

Whatever it is, Michigan’s offense looks more adept at helping the defense and special teams out in 2025, but the season will tell the real story, and that’s not far away.