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'Elite' QB Bryce Underwood the first freshman on cover of The Wolverine Michigan Football Preview Magazine

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•04/29/25•

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Bryce Underwood Michigan football preview magazine cover
Bryce Underwood is the first freshman to be on the cover of The Wolverine's Michigan Football Preview Magazine. (Photos by The Wolverine)

Michigan Wolverines football freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is on the cover of The Wolverine‘s 2025 Michigan Football Preview Magazine, which is available now for preorder. The former five-star+ prospect joins a long list of Michigan standouts and legends who have appeared on the preview edition’s cover throughout the years.

The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, Underwood is the first freshman to be on the cover of the football preview edition, showing just how important of a piece the 17-year-old is to the Michigan football program as it enters its second season under head coach Sherrone Moore.

The first glossy magazine version of The Wolverine’s football preview was released in 1997, with cornerback Charles Woodson on the cover.

This year, a quarterback is back on the cover for the first time since Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton were both featured in 2020. The other occasions with quarterbacks on the cover were Drew Henson (2000), John Navarre (2003), Chad Henne (2006, 2007), Denard Robinson (2011, 2012) and Devin Gardner (2013, 2014).

The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder enrolled early, having gone through bowl prep, winter strength and conditioning and spring practices with the Michigan Wolverines. He’s impressed in the early going, with Moore heaping praise upon him.

“He’s been outstanding,” Moore said of Underwood. “He’s one of those kids that you’ve gotta pull back, you gotta tell him to get some rest, make sure you’re sleeping [with] the recovery piece, because he’s just a worker. He never stops. He wants to be the best. He’ll do anything to be the best.

“He’s a great teammate, a great young man. The foundation that his parents set for him has been awesome. He does everything at an elite level, on and off the field, so just excited for him and for us as the future goes.”

Underwood is set to compete with graduate Mikey Keene — who missed spring practices with injury — and others for Michigan’s starting signal-caller job.

Underwood is from Detroit and attended Belleville (Mich.) High. This is the second-straight year with a Michigan native on the cover of the preview magazine, after cornerback Will Johnson appeared front and center in 2024.

Since 1997, this is the 10th instance with a homegrown player on the cover. Other in-state products that have donned the cover of the football preview include quarterback Devin Gardner (2013, 2014), defensive end Brandon Graham (2009), wide receiver Braylon Edwards (2004), quarterback Drew Henson (2000) and linebacker Ian Gold (1999).

The 2025 Michigan Football Preview Magazine includes features on Underwood and other key players — including sophomore running back Jordan Marshall, graduate fullback/tight end Max Bredeson, graduate offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi, senior EDGE Derrick Moore, senior linebacker Ernest Hausmann, graduate safety Rod Moore and senior cornerback Zeke Berry — along with conversations with coaches, opponent previews, expert columns and more.

Here’s a look at all of the covers of The Wolverine‘s football preview magazine since 1997:

SeasonCoverHeadline
1997Charles WoodsonDouble Trouble: All-American Charles Woodson A Threat With Or Without The Ball
1998National Championship RingSeeking Another Gem: 1998 Wolverines Are Going All Out To Ring Up A Title
1999Ian Gold, Dhani JonesPillars Of Strength: Senior Linebackers Ian Gold And Dhani Jones Provide Michigan’s Muscle In The Middle
2000Drew HensonTaking Charge: Junior Drew Henson Ready To Lead High-Powered Offense In Pursuit Of Big Ten Title
2001Lloyd CarrGentleman General: Lloyd Carr Directs U-M Football With Class
2002Defensive LineFearsome Front: U-M’s D-Line Leads Strong Defense
2003John NavarreTitle Dreams: John Navarre And The Wolverines Are Gunning For A Championship
2004Braylon EdwardsChasing No. 1: Braylon Edwards And Wolverines Race To Remain Atop Big Ten
2005Mike HartTitle Run: Mike Hart And The Wolverines Are Eyeing A Third Straight Big Ten Crown
2006Chad HenneStand & Deliver: Junior Quarterback Chad Henne Is Ready To Lead Riled Wolverines
2007Chad Henne, Mike HartDynamic Duo: Seniors Chad Henne And Mike Hart Aim To Cap Their Careers With A Championship
2008Rich RodriguezAn Era Begins: Rich Rodriguez Leads New-Look Wolverines
2009Brandon Graham, Brandon MinorSenior Strength: DE Brandon Graham And RB Brandon Minor Power The Wolverines
2010Michigan StadiumOpen House: Renovated Michigan Stadium Is Ready For 2010 Season
2011Denard RobinsonThe Total Package: Dynamic Dual-Threat Quarterback Denard Robinson Leads The Wolverines
2012Denard RobinsonCrowning Glory: Senior QB Denard Robinson And The Wolverines Have Their Sights Set On The Big Ten Title
2013Devin GardnerLeading The Way: Redshirt Junior Quarterback Devin Gardner Directs Michigan’s Offensive Attack
2014Devin GardnerTime To Win: Devin Gardner Has One More Chance To Take Michigan To The Top
2015Jim HarbaughNew Attitude: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Brings Hard-Nosed Mentality To The Wolverines
2016Jabrill PeppersTaking Off: Linebacker Jabrill Peppers Is A Heat-Seeking Missle For A Team Thinking Title
2017Rashan GaryIn A Rush: Sophomore Defensive End Rashan Gary Is Ready To Break Out
2018Rashan Gary, Chase WinovichDynamic Duo: Defensive Ends Rashan Gary And Chase Winovich Form The Nation’s Best Bookend Combination
2019Shea PattersonOne More Shot: Senior Quarterback Shea Patterson Returns With Championship Goals
2020Dylan McCaffrey, Joe MiltonYoung Guns: Dylan McCaffrey And Joe Milton Will Battle For Michigan’s Starting Quarterback Job
2021Aidan HutchinsonReady For Takeoff: Aidan Hutchinson And The Wolverines Hope To Fly High After Last Year’s Grounding
2022Ronnie BellOne Step Ahead: Resurgent Wideout Ronnie Bell Looks To Keep The Big Ten’s Defending Champs Out In Front
2023Blake CorumEverybody’s All-American: Michigan And Senior Blake Corum Are Ready To Run It Back For More
2024Will JohnsonSpecial Talent: Junior All-American Will Johnson Leads The Defending National Champion Wolverines Into A New Season
2025Bryce UnderwoodHigh Hopes: Freshman QB Bryce Underwood Appears Poised To Lead Michigan

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