Wolverine Nation, buckle up—because things are about to get wild. The battle for Michigan’s starting quarterback spot is heating up like a Fourth of July bonfire, and it’s got everything: a five-star phenom, a proven gunslinger, and a former QB1 who suddenly finds himself on the outside looking in.
Let’s be real: when you drop $12 million on a high school quarterback, the expectations aren’t just high—they’re through the roof. And Bryce Underwood? He’s not just meeting them—he’s rewriting the script.
Bryce Underwood: Not Just “That Guy”—THE Guy
When national analyst J.D. PicKell speaks, the college football world listens. And on March 11th, he didn’t just praise Bryce Underwood—he put the entire Big Ten on notice.
“Bryce Underwood, he’s that—that guy. Notice—notice what we said there. He’s that guy. Not ‘oh, he’s going to start.’ Not ‘oh, he’s a good quarterback.’ He’s—dog—Bryce Underwood, he’s—he’s that guy,” PicKell declared.
And when an analyst of PicKell’s caliber says you’re that guy, it’s not just hype—it’s a warning.
Michigan’s Quarterback Overhaul: A $12 Million Gamble That’s Paying Off
The Wolverines went all-in to land Underwood, outbidding LSU with a jaw-dropping $12 million NIL package. But they didn’t stop there.
They also snagged Mikey Keene from Fresno State, an 8,000-yard passer with experience dripping off him. The plan? Let Keene guide the rookie, ease Underwood in, and build for the future.
But guess what? Underwood isn’t waiting for the future—he’s taking the present by storm.
Spring practices have barely started, and he’s already throwing darts, making reads, and handling pressure like a seasoned veteran.
“Whenever you have a premier quarterback come over from the high school ranks and early enroll, it’s pretty understandable if it takes a second to get the speed of the game,” PicKell explained.
Translation? Most five-star QBs need time to adjust. But Underwood? He’s already ahead of the curve.
J.D. PicKell doubled down on his assessment:
“But if he’s that guy out of spring practice, that means you can add to this offense. That means you can put more on his plate.”
And that, folks, is where things get interesting.
Sherrone Moore’s Toughest Decision: The Fallout Begins
While Underwood is skyrocketing up the depth chart, there’s another Michigan quarterback who’s seeing the writing on the wall.
Davis Warren.
Once viewed as a future star, Warren now finds himself lost in the shuffle.
Last season? 1,199 yards, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions. Decent? Sure. But in an offense now revolving around a generational talent and a proven veteran, decent isn’t enough.
Antonio Morales from The Athletic put it bluntly:
“The thought was it was best for Davis’ development to avoid throwing him into the fire prematurely. That’s fine, but what’s the realistic long-term outlook for Davis when Michigan’s quarterback group includes an incoming freshman who received a massive NIL deal, an experienced and productive transfer, and a veteran who started nine times last season?”
Reality check: The math doesn’t add up for Warren.
If Underwood takes over as QB1, and Keene is slotted as the reliable backup, what’s left for Warren? Clipboard duty? Garbage-time snaps?
That’s not why he came to Ann Arbor.
And in today’s era of college football? The transfer portal doesn’t just exist—it thrives on situations like this.
The Spring Portal Watch: Will Warren Bolt?
Let’s be real: nobody comes to a program like Michigan to ride the bench.
Davis Warren isn’t going to just sit back and accept a backup role. And when the spring transfer portal opens, his options could explode.
Sherrone Moore is walking a tightrope. Landing Bryce Underwood was a masterstroke, but keeping everyone happy? That’s an impossible task.
Underwood’s rise could push Warren to seek a fresh start elsewhere, and if that happens? Michigan could lose a former five-star recruit overnight.
The Bottom Line: A Decision Is Coming—And Fast
Spring football will answer every question.
If Bryce Underwood keeps dominating, he won’t just be the future—he’ll be the present.
And Davis Warren? He’ll have a choice to make.
Stay and fight for a role that may not exist? Or hit the portal and take his talents somewhere he’ll be QB1?
One thing is certain: the Michigan quarterback room is about to explode. And when the dust settles?
Only one name will be standing at the top.
