Former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach Urban Meyer sees shades of two of his former Florida Gators, Percy Harvin and Cam Newton, in Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood.
In Underwood, Meyer sees the brute strength of the former Auburn Tigers Heisman-winning quarterback Newton, who was kept on the bench in Gainesville by Meyer, and the presence of Harvin, in the $10-$12 million true freshman.
“I went back and watched every snap. 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,” Meyer said on The Herd, per On3.
“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. Get him ready to play as fast you can.’ I’ve heard that about him. Now, that you saw it in person, that’s legit.”
Underwood went 21/31 passing for 251 yards and a touchdown in a 34-17 win over the New Mexico Lobos in his debut at the “Big House.” He was in control of the offense, getting a major assist from Alabama Crimson Tide transfer Justice Haynes. The junior running back had 159 yards on 16 carries for three touchdowns.
Undeniably, he looked like the Wolverines’ future. If he can look anywhere as good against Brent Vanables, Todd Bates, and Jay Valai’s Oklahoma Sooners’ defense, he’d undeniably be the present on a potential Big Ten contender.
Road matchups against the USC Trojans and Michigan State Spartans could be the difference between just missing the College Football Playoff and just making the 12-team field in 2025/2026.
If Meyer is a soothsayer, and the man has a good track record of spotting talent before, Underwood could be ahead of schedule.