Sherrone Moore assesses play of Bryce Underwood in Michigan spring game

Fans were able to witness incoming freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood perform in a Michigan uniform for the first time during Saturday’s spring game. Head coach Sherrone Moore discussed his new QB’s performance after the scrimmage.

Underwood ultimately went 12 of 26 for 187 yards which included an 88-yard pass to tight end Jalen Hoffman. He also threw one touchdown pass, an interception, was sacked three times and had a couple of delay of game penalties.

“Did well,” Moore said. “Made some really good throws and had some things that we got to clean up and get better at. But he’s a continued work in progress, and he’s working his tail off to do it.”

Underwood was a Five-Star-Plus+ recruit, and during his senior season in high school completed 125 of his 174 passes for 2,509 yards and 32 touchdowns compared to six interceptions. Many expect Underwood to be the day one starter for Michigan to begin his career. However, Moore said he expects this year’s QB battle won’t be decided until fall camp.

Now that Underwood has been on campus for a few months, that means Moore has gotten to see more of his incoming freshman’s personality than he may have just on the recruiting trail. He provided an interesting tidbit on Underwood’s habits off the field, too.

“No, nothing has really surprised [me]. I kind of had a good beat on how he would be and his work ethic,” Moore continued. “He told me he’s a night owl and that’s true. So I try to get him to sleep more, but because he’s in the building a lot and he’s doing a lot to get better. 

“Nothing surprised me in the way he carries himself and what he does just knowing his family, his mom and dad, Jay and Beverly. Just an outstanding job raising the young man and it’s been awesome to have him around.”

While many have been critical of Underwood’s performance on Saturday, it’s only his first appearance in a game-like situation inside Michigan Stadium. An early enrollee, Underwood joined Michigan for its bowl game prep in December, and aside from that was only able to participate in the 15 allotted practices allowed to every team each spring.

By the time Underwood takes his first snaps in a real regular season game, whether that be in the season opener or later down the line, he’ll have an entire spring, summer and fall camp under his belt. However, nothing beats real, live game-action. Underwood got his first taste of that in front of 40,000 fans on Saturday during the spring game.