Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has placed his confidence firmly behind Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood ahead of the Wolverines’ road game against Oklahoma. Speaking on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, Portnoy rated his belief in a Michigan victory as “an eight out of 10” and pointed to Underwood’s star potential as the deciding factor.
“I’ve sat with Urban [Meyer], I’ve sat with all the quarterbacks, they’re drooling about this guy Bryce Underwood,” Portnoy said. “They can’t believe what they see on tape. He’s like a supernova. Now, I hope they use his legs. He didn’t run at all last week. I think they’re saving it for this week. I think he may be the single best freshman ever in college football. So I like Michigan.”
"I think Bryce Underwood may be the single best freshman player ever in college football." @stoolpresidente is all in on the @UMichFootball QB 〽️ pic.twitter.com/CGhARie06K
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) September 6, 2025
Meyer acknowledged Underwood’s ability but urged caution before declaring him the greatest.
“Ever is a big word, but what I saw is what I saw. And I made a comment. I’ve had a couple of them,” Meyer said. “And that’s like a Percy Harvin or a Tebow or Zeke Elliott. When you see that cat, you’re like, my gosh, I saw that last week. That was against New Mexico though, and there’s no doubt they told him not to run.”
While Portnoy championed Underwood, Dan “Big Cat” Katz countered that Oklahoma’s John Mateer deserves more recognition entering Saturday’s matchup. Portnoy, however, recalled hearing Meyer gush about Underwood even in a private setting.
Underwood, the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class, made history as Michigan’s first true freshman starting quarterback since 2009. In his debut, he went 21-for-31 for 251 yards and a touchdown, breaking the school record for most passing yards by a freshman in his first start. He also landed on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 before ever taking the field.