Michigan QB update: Bryce Underwood's leadership is 'quite impressive,' Jadyn Davis is 'just a totally different kid'

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines football has two healthy quarterbacks this spring: sophomore Jadyn Davis and freshman Bryce Underwood. Both have impressed teammates and coaches in different ways and are growing given the amount of reps they’re getting in practice.

“Bryce and Jadyn — Jadyn looks good,” Michigan wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator Ron Bellamy said, responding to a question about Underwood. “They both are doing some really good things out there. Bryce is just like the [freshman] receivers in the sense of he’s learning.”

Learning, but popping with his physical traits. The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class and has dazzled with his arm strength, accuracy and athleticism.

“You see the physical talent, ball placement, arm strength, mobility — you see all that stuff, and you get excited because you know what can be once he gets a full grasp of the offense,” Bellamy said. “The same thing with Jadyn Davis. You see like, ‘Man, OK, this is why we went to Charlotte and got him out of Charlotte.’

“Those guys are competing and learning and have a great coach in [quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator] Coach [Chip] Lindsey leading the way. It’s been awesome watching their development, both guys.”

Graduate Mikey Keene — a Fresno State transfer who’s reportedly injured this spring — will have something to say about it, but Underwood appears to be the favorite to start behind center for Michigan this fall. He’s still learning the system but may be placed in a big-time leadership role right away, and he’s shown signs that he can handle that.

“It’s been awesome,” Bellamy said. “I sit back and I watch. If there’s, let’s say, a miscommunication or something, or he thought a receiver is gonna do this, he walks over and kinda says how he saw it. He’ll come over with a little pep. He’s always high praise, high encouragement.

“For a 17-year-old kid, that’s huge. I’ve been around a long time, played with some great ones here at Michigan as a player and as a coach, and to see those leadership qualities from a 17-year-old kid is quite impressive.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Davis, meanwhile, redshirted as a freshman, playing just 1 snap, versus Northwestern. Michigan even turned to Alex Orji at quarterback in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama once starter Davis Warren went down with an injury, even though he was in the transfer portal pursuing his next opportunity at another school. That indicated he had a long way to go, but he’s taken a jump, per Bellamy.

“Super confident,” Bellamy said of Davis. “I think for a quarterback, having the poise and the confidence within themselves [is important]. He knows the system, he’s striving every day, making plays, knowing where to go with the ball. 

“For him, just a totally different kid — a more confident version of himself. He’s doing a heck of a job. Really love where he’s at.”

It’s apparent to the Michigan defense what each quarterback brings to the table, especially Underwood. Secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator LaMar Morgan explained what he’s seen from Underwood and Davis.

“Bryce is a unique kid,” Morgan noted. “The stuff that you all see on the field, you’ll all be excited about it. But I don’t think you understand, this kid is out there all day long — both quarterbacks. They’re out there all day long, working on what they need to do pre-practice, getting ready for practice, working on his drops, up here meeting by himself, texting coaches about, ‘Hey, how are we doing this?’

“I just think the preparation for a young kid like that is pretty unique, because a lot of the great players have it in between their ears, and that’s what he has.

“But the arm talent is as good as advertised. He’s big, strong, physical, a leader, working hard.

“And then JD has done a great job, as well. Those guys have been competing. Some days, one goes with the ones; they go back and forth every other day. Coach is doing a really good job with those two, so I’m excited about them.”

Michigan’s passing game taking a step forward has helped the defense this spring.

“Both of those guys have done a great job,” Morgan said. “The throwing and catching this spring has been good for both sides. If we’re not defending the deep ball, we’re not gonna get good at playing the ball in the air. If they’re just doing quick game, we can have some false confidence if we’re sitting on some routes, but that’s not how it’s gonna be on game day. As you all know, people are gonna challenge us.”