Where are they now? Former Michigan RB David Underwood honing craft at TCU
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David Underwood arrived at Michigan as a highly touted prospect and part of a stellar 2001 recruiting class that included the likes of Braylon Edwards, Marlin Jackson and Ernest Shazor — just to name a few.
Underwood was considered one of the top running backs in the country out of Madisonville (Texas) High — a 45-minute drive away from Texas A&M. While the Aggies pushed hard for Underwood, he didn’t reciprocate the interest.
Instead, he wanted to carve his own path and chose Michigan.
“Michigan was always on TV growing up, and they always played in the big bowl games,” Underwood said. “They won the national championship in 1997. Texas A&M was good, but they were always losing in the Cotton Bowl. A lot of my classmates were Aggies. Everybody around me would say Gig Em. I just wanted to do my own thing and venture out.
“Michigan is a great institution academically and athletically. I just thought it was a no brainer. No matter what, you’re going to be tied in with one of the deepest alumni bases in the country and have a great degree.”
Underwood was forced to wait despite being a prized recruit, backing up BJ Askew during his freshman campaign and Chris Perry over the next two years. Underwood finally got his shot to start as a senior but suffered a concussion that kept him out of the lineup for the majority of the season.
In his place, freshman Mike Hart, who now serves as Michigan’s running backs coach, rushed for a freshman record 1,455 yards. Even through all of this, Underwood never transferred — an option that has become quite popular in today’s college football climate. Instead, he remained loyal to Michigan and finished out his collegiate career with the Wolverines.
“Coming out as a four- and five-star recruit, you might have some expectations that don’t become true,” Underwood said. “You have to adjust. I’m the type of person that doesn’t run from challenges. I accepted it. I embraced it. I stayed, and I really believed in our slogan — those who stay will be champions. I did my best and tried to finish the job. Things didn’t go the way I expected, but I left there a champion with a great degree.”
Underwood also created some memories that have stayed with him through this day and continue to shape him as a man.
“To be a Michigan Man means you value hard work, family and the people that trust you,” Underwood said. “Those are the things I really cherish. On the field, beating Ohio State in the 100th game was a highlight. So was winning the Big Ten championship back-to-back. We held each other accountable, and that’s how I still operate daily. I bring my best every day.”
After his final season with Michigan, Underwood had short stints with the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants in NFL. Once he realized having a permanent home at the professional level wasn’t an option, Underwood returned to Michigan.
He finished his final six credit hours and was allowed to keep his scholarship thanks to then-head coach Lloyd Carr. During that time, Underwood found a new passion as he worked in Michigan’s strength and conditioning program under Mike Gittleson, who is now in the USA Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame.
“I got to work out Mike Hart, Brandon Graham, Lamar Woodley and all those guys,” Underwood said. “That was the start of my career. I didn’t know it, but Mike Gittleson sat me down and asked me what I wanted to do, and I said ‘this.’ I planned to go back to Texas and teach everybody what I learned at Michigan.”
Underwood did just that.
He first worked as a private trainer, helping develop some of the best recruits in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He also took a couple of jobs at the high school level as he continued to develop his craft.
“I got into my own personal training business and volunteered with the Nike camps,” Underwood said. “They endorsed me as a top trainer in Texas. I started training more and more top players. I was also at Plano West for five years and had arguably the best running back in the country in Soso Jamabo. After that I took the job at Lewisville in their strength and conditioning program.”
Underwood, however, had bigger aspirations. He wanted to make the jump to the collegiate level and even sought out the advice of current Michigan strength and conditioning guru Ben Herbert. After making calls and building connections, Underwood landed an internship at SMU under head strength and conditioning coach Kaz Kazadi.
When head football coach Sonny Dykes left SMU for TCU this year, he took Kazadi with him, which opened the door for a new opportunity. Underwood decided to return to school and accepted a graduate assistant position with the Horned Frogs.
At TCU, Underwood has worked closely football and cross-country teams as a part of the Human Performance department and is now set to graduate in December.
“I feel like I’m a better student than I was as a youth,” Underwood said. “I focus more and don’t procrastinate. Away from the classroom, I bring knowledge and passion every day. I’m learning. The same staff was at SMU, so it’s fitting that I’m working under the same guys. It was ‘hey, let’s win a lot of ball games, coach these kids up and develop these young men.’ That’s what we’ve been doing. I have a passion for working out and attacking weights. I think this field represents who I am.”
Perhaps one day Underwood will return to Michigan just like his old teammate, Mike Hart.
As Michigan prepares to take on TCU in the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve, Underwood will have a rooting interest in both teams. But his heart still bleeds Maize and Blue. And you can bet he’ll have a close eye on Hart and his stable of backs.
In fact, Underwood had nothing but praise when asked about Hart, who has proven to be arguably one of the best running back coaches nationally.
“Mike is a phenomenal coach,” Underwood said. “He’s very smart. When he was a freshman, I knew he had the potential to do great things because he was very cerebral and a fast learner. I’m not surprised he’s having success as a coach. You can see he’s shared his knowledge with Donovan (Edwards) and Blake (orum). They are having a lot of success under Mike’s tutelage.”
Underwood, however, has no interest in coaching. His passion remains with strength and conditioning.
Upon graduation, Underwood is set to hit the job market and hopes to land a full-time position at a Division I school.
“Trust me, if you hire me, you’re going to get passion, energy and the knowledge I’ve been able to gain,” Underwood said. “That’s what I’m bringing to the table.”
