Mature, Focused, Humble: Michigan’s Bryce Underwood Isn’t Your Average 17-Year-Old

College Football: Mature, Focused, Humble – Michigan’s Bryce Underwood Isn’t Your Average 17-Year-Old

Updated Jul. 25, 2025 2:41 a.m. ET

LAS VEGAS — A little over two months ago, as Michigan wrapped up its spring practice and entered summer break, some Wolverines decided to unwind with a game of pickup basketball, a beloved pastime away from the gridiron. But veteran edge rusher Derrick Moore was taken aback when he spotted a familiar face on the court—freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. This five-star prospect, whose commitment to Michigan last November catapulted him to NIL multi-millionaire status before even turning 18, didn’t really seem like someone who should be there.

“What are you doing here?” Derrick Moore asked. “You’re not supposed to be here. nbiclearancegovph login suwerte 99” This initial reaction had nothing to do with Underwood as a person. Like many of his teammates and coaches, Moore has become a firm believer in the young star’s abilities after witnessing how Underwood, ranked the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, has conducted himself since switching his commitment from LSU to Michigan last November and joining the team during winter. Underwood got to work with the Wolverines just in time for their bowl preparations against Alabama and played extensively during spring practice, stepping up amidst a quarterback room that was affected by injuries and transfers. Now, all signs indicate that he might be the starter when the regular season kicks off.

Underwood signs autographs for fans before the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. (Photo by Sarah Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Instead, Moore’s concern over Underwood partaking in basketball that day stemmed purely from financial considerations. After witnessing Underwood’s spring performance, he deemed it unwise for the program’s most valuable asset — a player reportedly linked to a groundbreaking NIL deal worth between $10 million and $12.5 million over four years — to risk injury during what was essentially a casual game. This concern was even more pronounced after defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale had been cautioning players throughout spring practice to “stay away from Bryce, don’t touch Bryce at all!” highlighting just how crucial Underwood’s health is to the team.

“I feel like we do a good job protecting him and also giving him good advice,” Derrick Moore explained while attending Big Ten Media Days. “He’s worth a lot, so we’ve got to make sure he knows that. I think he already understands it, but we need to keep reminding him that he can’t overdo it. And if he does play basketball, no jumping, no jumping at all.”

Of course, Underwood was absent from the South Seas Ballroom at Mandalay Bay, where his teammates, including Derrick Moore, fullback/tight end Max Bredeson, inside linebacker Ernest Hausmann, and second-year head coach Sherrone Moore, faced a barrage of reporters eager to discuss the program’s newest star. It would have been quite uncharacteristic for them to bring Underwood to this week’s event, the unofficial kickoff for the 2025 season, despite Colorado head coach Deion Sanders bringing his true freshman quarterback, Julian Lewis, to Big 12 Media Days. The Wolverines seem determined to temper the Underwood hype train, yet everyone connected to the program—and fans outside it—can feel the momentum building.

In an effort to prepare himself for the inevitable questions about Underwood, Moore reminded the media that Michigan has yet to name a starting quarterback and that competition remains open entering fall camp. He highlighted that transfer players Mikey Keene from Fresno State and Jake Garcia from East Carolina, along with former four-star prospect Jadyn Davis, will have opportunities to prove themselves ahead of the season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 30. “There is no starter,” Moore insisted.

However, that didn’t stop reporters from probing Moore about Underwood’s extra reps during the spring, when Keene was sidelined with an undisclosed injury and Garcia had not yet joined the program. They wanted to know how Underwood has embraced the prospect of starting as a true freshman at Michigan, a school renowned for its football legacy, and why the Wolverines haven’t officially named him the starter given their significant financial commitment to him. All these questions arose during the first third of Moore’s media time.

“His job is to just go be the best teammate and football player he can be,” Moore stated. “And whoever that person is, it’s going to take a village okada bet login. For us to be a successful program, we need to surround that player with both talent on the field and support mentally.”

Interestingly, there was a stark contrast during the media day as Moore and Michigan’s veteran players spoke affectionately of Underwood’s age—he’ll finally turn 18 next month—while simultaneously expressing deep admiration for his maturity on the field, likening his commitment and behavior to those of seasoned professionals. Bredeson, a fifth-year senior and one of the team’s veterans, shared that he feels a sense of pride in being the older player who can help ease Underwood into college football, acknowledging that no one in Michigan’s locker room can fully grasp the level of attention Underwood receives and the opportunities that come his way.

Meanwhile, Derrick Moore, a former blue-chip recruit himself, expressed genuine amazement at how someone so young can maintain such focus and determination, qualities Moore admits he did not possess at Underwood’s age. Having grown up just half an hour from Michigan’s campus, Underwood has earned a reputation as one of the first to arrive at Schembechler Hall each morning and one of the last to leave at night—a classic mark of hard work in football. He is known to hit the field 20 minutes early for practice, headphones on, reviewing the day’s script and visualizing the upcoming drills. lodi777 casino login He builds rapport with wide receivers and tight ends through additional throwing sessions that often run late into the night. He gives it his all in the weight room, having bulked up to 230 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame, and accepts feedback from anyone in the facility without hesitation.

“He’s not your average 17-year-old,” Derrick Moore remarked. “With all the money coming in, he remains incredibly humble. angel belen If he makes a mistake, he owns up to it completely. You rarely hear of him causing trouble. He handles himself like a professional.” Even if that means sitting out of a game of pickup basketball.

Michael Cohen covers college football and college basketball for FOX Sports. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13.

What are your thoughts on Bryce Underwood and his rise in college football?