Kyle Whittingham Gives Bryce Underwood a Letter Grade Michigan Fans Can Be Excited About

With a daunting 2026 schedule ahead, Michigan knows it needs to get the most out of Bryce Underwood this season. The Wolverines could have one of the top defenses in the country and some great playmakers, but if the quarterback doesn't produce — wins aren't going to come.

But entering his second season, Underwood is working to have a major sophomore leap. Between having dedicated coaches to perfecting his craft, Underwood is putting in the work to cut down on the nine interceptions thrown a year ago, and improve on the 11 touchdowns tossed.

Appearing on Big Ten Network on Wednesday evening, head coach Kyle Whittingham remains impressed with Underwood and gave him an A+ grade so far during fall camp.

"He's coming along well," Whittingham said on BTN. "He's had a great first six days. He is much further ahead than he was at the end of spring. He obviously worked hard this summer and did a lot of positive things getting himself ready in the film room, on the field, and so far through six practices I give him an A+."

Going back to the basics

This offseason has been about simplifying the game for Bryce Underwood. Being tossed into the fire in Year 1 as a starting quarterback in the Big Ten was no easy task and there were a lot of challenges Underwood had to face last season.

Underwood has worked on reading the defense, allowing the game to slow down for him, and getting his footwork where it needs to be.

Offensive coordinator Jason Beck also spoke on the Big Ten Network and spoke about how he's seen Underwood progress from spring ball to fall camp. He also noted that footwork was a big talking point and something Underwood is still working on.

"You know, I've been very impressed with how hard he works," Beck said. "I mean, he shows up every day. He works hard. He really picks things up quick. He learns fast. He has a good confidence and poise about him out there. But there's obviously a lot of things to always work on and improve and when we emphasize things he responds really quick. He learns fast, makes improvements fast.

"Now the things that you want to work on that are kind of habits like you do without thinking, those are the things that are really hard to change. And so like footwork in the pocket, you know, you just kind of have a natural footwork that you've comfortable using. And so we spent the spring kind of figuring out what he naturally does.

"And then this summer and coming into fall camp, we've targeted, okay, here's what we really need to focus on and improve. But those are really hard changes you're trying to make because as a quarterback, you're just trying to read the defense and make the right plays and you're not thinking about necessarily your feet."

If it all clicks, it could be a massive year

Michigan went out and landed three wide receivers, who all are expected to play a big role this season, along with retaining Jordan Marshall and adding five-star Savion Hiter. The Wolverines have the playmakers to go along with Bryce Underwood, now it's just about everything clicking.

Underwood was the No. 1 ranked player in the 2025 class for a reason and he has the tools, and talent, to have a big season. Under Beck, the Wolverines are going to use Underwood's full skill set and allow him to run the football and extend plays with his legs.

Michigan needs it to click for Underwood, and if it does, 2026 could be a fun year for Wolverine fans.

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