When a national championship coach compares a freshman quarterback to former NFL MVP and Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton, people take notice. That was the case Thursday when former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer joined The Herd with Colin Cowherd and raved about Michigan’s Bryce Underwood after his Week 1 debut.
“I went back and watched every snap,” Meyer said. “My god, I mean, that’s a junior in college, and he’s really not. His physical presence is Cam Newton-ish."
"His size, his athleticism—I mean spectacular. Day 1, he might be that guy that walks on campus—like when I had Percy Harvin—you’re just like, ‘That’s an absolute freak,’ Meyer added. "Get him ready to play as fast as you can. Now, that you saw it in person, that’s legit.”
Coming from Meyer—a coach who once had Newton at Florida before his transfer to Auburn—that comparison carries unique weight. And given what Underwood just did in his first game, it doesn’t feel like hyperbole.
Underwood’s Debut: Poise Beyond His Years
Underwood looked the part immediately in Michigan’s 34–17 win over New Mexico.
The true freshman completed 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown, setting a program record for passing yards in a freshman debut. He avoided turnovers, made clean reads, and flashed the arm talent that made him the nation’s No. 1 recruit.
What stood out most wasn’t just the stats, but the presence. Underwood played with a calm command, opening the game with two first-quarter scoring drives and never looking rattled.
His longest completion went for 39 yards, showing the ability to push the ball vertically, while his 67.7% completion rate underscored his efficiency.
The Newton Blueprint
Newton’s 2010 season at Auburn remains one of the most dominant single-year performances in college football history: 2,854 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,473 rushing yards, 20 rushing scores, a national title, and a Heisman Trophy.
Physically, Underwood isn’t far off. At 6’4”, 228 pounds, he’s an inch shorter and about 17 pounds lighter than Newton was during that legendary season, but the similarities are clear.
Both quarterbacks combine NFL-caliber arm strength with athleticism that can stress defenses in multiple ways.
The difference is that Newton was already a once-in-a-generation runner. Underwood didn’t flash those wheels in his debut—finishing with no rushing yards on two sacks—but his frame and mobility suggest that element could emerge as Michigan opens the playbook.
Heisman Talk Already?
It’s premature to crown Underwood after one game, but the Cam Newton comparison isn’t just for show. Newton used his size, leadership, and playmaking to instantly elevate Auburn into a national contender. Underwood has the same opportunity in Ann Arbor.
With a primetime showdown against Oklahoma looming, Underwood will get his first chance to prove Meyer’s words prophetic. If the freshman can continue blending efficiency with big-play potential, the Heisman conversation may not be as far off as it seems.