BRYCE UNDERWOOD’S HISTORIC DEBUT: Michigan Names True Freshman as Starting Quarterback for Season Opener Against New Mexico..

BRYCE UNDERWOOD’S HISTORIC DEBUT: Michigan Names True Freshman as Starting Quarterback for Season Opener Against New Mexico..

The University of Michigan football program has made a bold and historic decision ahead of its 2025 campaign. On August 24, the Wolverines officially announced that true freshman Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top recruit, will start at quarterback when Michigan opens the season against New Mexico on August 30 at Michigan Stadium.

The move cements Underwood’s place in Wolverine history, as he becomes only the fourth true freshman ever to start a season opener for the maize and blue. It is a role typically reserved for veterans or at least sophomores with some collegiate experience, but Michigan’s coaching staff has placed its trust in the 18-year-old phenom, signaling that they believe his talent, poise, and leadership outweigh his lack of experience.

Underwood’s journey to Ann Arbor has already been one of the most dramatic in recent memory. The five-star quarterback, widely regarded as the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025, initially committed to LSU before flipping to Michigan in a move that stunned college football insiders. That decision, combined with his eye-popping high school stats, immediately elevated expectations for him to not just compete for the starting job, but to potentially redefine what Michigan’s offense can achieve.

Beyond his football talent, Underwood’s arrival carries weight in the new era of college sports economics. With an NIL valuation estimated between $10–12 million, he enters Ann Arbor as not only a football prospect but also a national figure in the changing landscape of college athletics.

Head coach Sherrone Moore, stepping into his first full season at the helm following Jim Harbaugh’s exit to the NFL, has faced the unenviable task of rebuilding stability amid NCAA sanctions and roster turnover. The quarterback battle this offseason featured experienced transfers like Jake Garcia, but Underwood’s performance in summer practices and scrimmages was reportedly too impressive to ignore.

“Bryce has shown the ability to process the game quickly, make throws at every level, and rally his teammates,” a source close to the program shared. “He doesn’t play like a freshman.”

The Wolverines’ offensive line and backfield—anchored by veterans—will be critical in protecting their young signal-caller. Still, the decision to start a freshman suggests that the coaching staff is willing to embrace a more dynamic offensive identity, one that could stretch defenses vertically in ways Michigan has not consistently managed in recent seasons.

—

If there was any doubt about Underwood’s confidence, his recent comments erased it. Shortly after being named the starter, he boldly declared that he intends to “shock the world.”

Such a statement is not only a reflection of his mindset but also a rallying cry for the fanbase. Michigan fans, still celebrating the program’s 2023 national championship and hungry for another run at the College Football Playoff, have embraced Underwood as a symbol of a new era. His swagger, combined with his natural arm talent, has injected a fresh sense of excitement in Ann Arbor.

Michigan has rarely trusted a true freshman to lead the offense from day one. The last time the Wolverines opened with a first-year starter at quarterback was in 2009, when Tate Forcier was under center. Prior to that, only a handful of players in the program’s long history have been placed in such a high-pressure role so early.

That history underscores the significance of Underwood’s start. He is stepping into one of college football’s most visible positions, with the expectations of a blue-blood program resting squarely on his shoulders.

—

Michigan’s opener against New Mexico provides Underwood with both an opportunity and a challenge. The Wolverines enter the contest as heavy favorites, with oddsmakers setting the line at more than five touchdowns in Michigan’s favor. The matchup should give Underwood a chance to settle into live college action, but as history has shown, early-season games can also be unpredictable.

The coaching staff will likely balance protecting their young quarterback with giving him opportunities to showcase the skill set that made him the nation’s top recruit. Fans can expect a mix of safe, high-percentage passes alongside designed plays to highlight his deep-ball accuracy and mobility outside the pocket.

Underwood’s debut is about more than just one game. It represents a new chapter for Michigan football as the program looks to prove it can remain a national contender despite off-field controversies and NCAA penalties stemming from the sign-stealing scandal. For a fanbase eager to turn the page, the rise of a generational talent at quarterback is exactly the spark needed to restore optimism.

Should Bryce Underwood live up to even a portion of the hype surrounding his arrival, the Wolverines could find themselves not only winning the Big Ten but also reasserting themselves as serious playoff contenders.