One of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects in recent history is getting a fast-track to the field.
Michigan is officially naming true freshman Bryce Underwood its starting quarterback, head coach Sherrone Moore announced Monday. The 18-year-old Underwood beat out transfer Mikey Keene, veteran Wolverine Davis Warren, redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis and Jake Garcia for the QB1 job.
As the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class, Underwood taking the starting role in a wide-open quarterback room appeared likely, but Moore has also maintained a competition at the position until the verge of the Wolverines' Week 1 matchup against New Mexico.
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Here's what to know about Underwood leading the 2025 Michigan offense, the players he beat out for the No. 1 job and a look at the former top prospect's recruitment.
MORE: Sporting News 2025 Preseason All-America Team
Michigan QB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Bryce Underwood |
| 2. | Jadyn Davis |
| 3. | Mikey Keene |
| 4. | Jake Garcia |
| 5. | Davis Warren |
CBS Sports initially reported Sunday that Underwood was set to be named the Wolverines' starter, noting that Moore informed his team of the quarterback decision Sunday and that an official announcement will be made Monday.
That was the case, as the Michigan head coach told reporters that "Bryce Underwood will be our starting quarterback."
"Probably halfway through camp," Moore said of when he knew Underwood could be the starter. "It was like, 'Yeah, I think this is the guy.'"
Bryce Underwood will officially be under the helm for @UMichFootball 〽️ pic.twitter.com/CFoiUDuJPX
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 25, 2025
The news ends a QB competition that included players with various backgrounds. Underwood's talent always made him the favorite, but whether or not Michigan would prioritize his development on the bench before starting was up in the air.
In July, Moore said Underwood "is not the starter right now," as the team was going to figure that out during camp. The coach did hold true to his word, waiting until the start of Week 1 to make his decision, but it wound up being one that most expected anyway.
Underwood may enter his true freshman season inexperienced in college football, but he's regarded as a mature quarterback for his age. His 6-4 frame and processing skills make him an easy candidate to succeed in his first season; should Underwood remain healthy, there's also a good chance he holds onto Michigan's QB1 job for the longer-term future.
Underwood is set to become the fourth-ever true freshman quarterback to start for Michigan in its season opener, and the first since Tate Forcier in 2009.
"He's been amazing," a source told CBS Sports about Underwood in June. "Awesome human being. Puts in a ton of work. Already commands a room, even with as young as he is. Has a goal to learn everybody's name in the building and gives the janitor the same respect that he gives the head coach. As a leader, he just gets it."
Official: @BryceUnderwoo16 has been named our starting QB pic.twitter.com/6bxUnOn2Mq
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 25, 2025
While Underwood's young stardom made him the favorite, Keene was also viewed as another realistic option to start, mostly due to experience. Keene already had 39 college games under his belt between UCF and Fresno State when he transferred to Michigan. In 2024, he threw for 2,892 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Given the Wolverines' annual expectations to contend for a title, Keene would have been a reasonable candidate to start as a veteran option, but it's also been reported that he's currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
However, Moore said Monday that it will be the redshirt freshman Davis, not Keene, who will be the team's QB2 behind Underwood.
"I really thought Jadyn Davis really came along in taking the next steps," Moore said, per Zach Shaw. "He'll be the two behind [Underwood]. He's done a really good job."
Garcia and Warren were also in the mix within Michigan's quarterback room, with Garcia making previous stops at East Carolina, Miami and Missouri, and Warren heading into his senior season with the Wolverines. While Moore noted earlier in August that all of his quarterbacks "have been great," it's Underwood who will claim the top job.
When Underwood steps in to face New Mexico in Michigan's season-opener, he'll be just a few weeks removed from his 18th birthday. But between his talent, poise and leadership, he's already tracking to be one of the Big Ten's best passers as a true freshman.
MORE: Ranking the top transfer QBs for the 2025 college football season
Bryce Underwood NIL
With Underwood being the top recruit in the 2025 class, it only makes sense that NIL has played a significant part in his college journey already. He was initially committed to LSU, but in one of the top recruiting stories of 2024, he wound up flipping to Michigan after reportedly receiving a massive NIL package.
According to Front Office Sports, Underwood's NIL deal at Michigan is believed to be somewhere between $10.5 to $12 million over four years. He was already tracking to become LSU's highest-paid player, but Underwood instead took his talents to the Wolverines for a hefty pay increase. As of August 2025, On3 estimates Underwood to be the 11th-most valuable college athlete in terms of NIL, with a valuation of $3 million.
Underwood has been known to already be working with various companies for NIL deals, such as Barstool Sports and Hollister, per On3. As recently as Aug. 19, Underwood began a partnership with Beats by Dre, which will involve him be featured in "national marketing campaigns," per 247Sports.
On and off the field, @BryceUnderwoo16 is locked in. 🔒
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 19, 2025
〽️ + @beatsbydre#GoBlue | #BeatsPartner | #BeatsElite pic.twitter.com/17A6gvTueK
Bryce Underwood recruiting
Underwood was regarded as the consensus top prospect in the 2025 class. At 6-4 and around 230 pounds, he had the physical tools in high school to become a star quarterback, and it only helped that he "has continued to improve as a passer and has gotten much more in tune with his mechanics," as 247Sports' Andrew Ivins evaluated.
In high school, Underwood threw for 11,488 yards and 152 touchdowns while leading his Belleville squad to a 50-4 record and two Michigan state championships.
In January 2024, Underwood committed to LSU, but it was in November 2024 that he famously flipped his commitment to Michigan before signing in December.