Michigan WR Talks About the Development of Bryce Underwood

We are under two weeks away from the first Michigan football game of the season when the Wolverines host Western Michigan on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in The Big House.

One of the most intriguing things to watch is how far sophomore QB Bryce Underwood has developed since the end of 2025.

Bryce Underwood throws the ball against Texas — Dec 31, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

On Monday afternoon(Aug. 24), Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan spoke to the media and was asked about how far Underwood has come since he arrived in Ann Arbor.

“Man, I just think that his work ethic is unmatched,” Buchanan said. “He is always trying to throw extra. He looks a lot better, a lot more calm in the pocket, like he has been saying. Yeah, he just looks super sharp and I am excited for a couple weeks.”

This will be Buchanan’s first season with the Wolverines, transferring to the Maize and Blue from Utah, where he spent his freshman year with Kyle Whittingham. As a true freshman, he accumulated 26 catches, 427 yards and five touchdowns.

Buchanan has had a lot of hype in camp with the Wolverines, including a nice catch that was posted via X.

JJ Buchanan is a future All American pic.twitter.com/mvD63qr7ix
— Underwood Leashed (@Underwood_szn) August 7, 2026

The Underwood to Buchanan connection

Hopefully, for the Maize and Blue fans, the connection between Buchanan and Underwood sparks quickly.

Along with Buchanan, Underwood will have a host of talented WRs to distribute the ball to. That list is headlined by returning top WR Andrew Marsh, who will be the top option in the passing game in 2026.

As a true freshman in 2025, Marsh finished the season with a team-high 651 catches. Marsh also earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors in his first season in Ann Arbor.

Andrew Marsh scores — Michigan wide receiver Andrew Marsh (4) scores a touchdown against Washington during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Alongside Marsh and Buchanan, there are a host of guys who could step up in the third spot. Two names being tossed out a lot are Jaime Ffrench Jr. (transfer from Texas) and true freshman WR Salesi Moa. For Moa, he was originally enrolled at Utah, but transferred to UofM after Whittingham left the Utes for the Wolverines.

With this core group of receivers, it should be an upgrade from last season. With the improvement in the talent out wide, an offseason of work and now having a dedicated QB coach (Koy Detmer), the sky seems to be the limit for Underwood in the new offense.

Underwood may not finish as a Heisman contender, but he should turn out to be one of the better QB’s in the Big Ten when the 2026 campaign wraps up.

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