When Bryce Underwood switched his commitment from LSU to Michigan in November 2024, he did what any Gen Z star would do to break the news: post on social media. Instagram was his preferred method of sharing the news, and the Detroit native opted for a two-word caption to accompany his announcement video. It read “Hometown. Hero.”
Less than two years later, Underwood’s time playing for his home state school may be coming to an end.
The No. 1 quarterback recruit in the class of 2025 was benched after a miserable first half in the Big House, one that once again ended with audible boos from the Michigan faithful after the Wolverines went scoreless and trailed visiting Penn State 3-0. Underwood went 5 of 11 for 43 yards and two interceptions, both in Penn State territory, and he was replaced by backup Tommy Carr, a true freshman. Carr, who arrived at Michigan as an early enrollee in the 2026 class last January, isn’t quite the rookie Underwood is, but arrives in Ann Arbor with an impressive pedigree as the younger brother of Notre Dame CJ Carr and grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. Like Underwood, he too bleeds corn and blue.
Kyle Whittingham’s quarterback change paid off instantly as Carr led for touchdowns on two of his first three drives behind center. He wasn’t special. He didn’t need to make over-the-top plays. He finished the game, a 21-18 Michigan victory, with just five completions on seven attempts for 47 yards. But he was controlled and clean with the football, finishing the game without a turnover. He also scored the game-clinching touchdown, an 11-yard run on third-and-9 to give Michigan a 10-point lead with 2:58 to play.
To this point, everything Carr did on the field Saturday was a big improvement over what the Wolverines got from their high-priced former five-star recruit.
The warning signs were there, building since the season opener, when Underwood needed an extra second to throw a Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan — a MAC team that has since lost by 25 points to Boise State and has struggled with its conference opponents. Underwood followed that debacle by completing nine passes in a defense-led win over Oklahoma, instead relying on his legs (18 carries for 87 yards, one touchdown) to generate any sort of juice for a struggling offense. A slow start against UTEP didn’t help inspire confidence, although after three games Michigan managed to boast a 3-0 record.
Unsurprisingly, the undefeated start ended when Underwood’s problems protecting the football reached a breaking point early in Big Ten play. He was inaccurate and, worse, careless with the football. Against Iowa and Minnesota, he completed just 55.1 percent of his passes with three interceptions compared to two touchdowns. The Wolverines were held scoreless in the second half against the Golden Gophers, meaning Saturday’s dismal performance against Penn State made it four straight quarters without any points scored while Underwood was behind center.
Through its first five games, Michigan had failed to score 20 points in a game four times. They ranked 102nd in the nation in scoring and 106th in yards per play (5.4). Underwood ranked 101st out of 124 eligible quarterbacks in completion percentage and tied for 106th in interception percentage. With his two first-half interceptions Saturday, he brought his turnover total for the season to eight, compared to just seven total touchdowns.
The lasting image of Michigan’s scoreless first half against Penn State, and perhaps of Underwood’s tenure in Ann Arbor, came less than two minutes into the game before the second pick, when the CBS broadcast showed Underwood jogging off the field shouting on his sideline. Whether out of frustration or an effort to inspire his teammates, it’s a feeling every Wolverines fan in the building could relate to Saturday.
Bryce Underwood was excited as he left the field. pic.twitter.com/eTomzeirhF
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 17, 2026
Given his status as a five-star recruit and No. 1 QB in the high school class just two years ago, Underwood is sure to have a number of suitors if he enters the transfer portal. That might not happen at a national championship contender or a program with deep pockets like Michigan. But Underwood’s college career is far from over. He is only 19 years old and has time to develop. There are also too many examples of quarterbacks who thrived after a change of scenery, even if they didn’t struggle as mightily as Underwood did in his first 19 starts.
But it’s become clear that the place to thrive isn’t Ann Arbor. Two different head coaches don’t matter. Two different offensive coordinators didn’t make a difference. Whatever happened didn’t work and in this era of college football, it’s hard to believe that both teams will go through another half-season of growing pains to try to come out stronger in year three.
Thanks to Underwood, he remained engaged on the sidelines after being benched. The broadcast suggested he spoke to Carr between possessions and was one of the first to celebrate with his replacement after Carr’s rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Whittingham never spoke poorly of Underwood as a teammate and said in his postgame interview that he changed quarterbacks because he was looking for a “spark.” That’s what it boils down to: Carr gave Michigan a spark. Underwood didn’t do it – and he hasn’t done it all season.
And while Ann Arbor may be home, Underwood might be better off looking elsewhere to find his own spark.
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