Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham stated that quarterback Bryce Underwood's position on the depth chart is "not something that's infinite" following the team's close 13-12 victory over Western Michigan.
Underwood secured the win with a last-second Hail Mary pass to wide receiver JJ Buchanan. The Wolverines had trailed for much of the game against the directional school, and officials added one second back to the clock after a review, allowing for the game-winning play. Without the successful pass, the loss would have been considered a significant embarrassment for the program.
Despite the heroic finish, Whittingham indicated that Underwood, a sophomore, must demonstrate improvement. "At some point, we've got to turn a corner, and we've got to see improvement," Whittingham told reporters. "As we do with a bunch of stuff, we've got to see improvement out of the coaches. It's not just Bryce; it's not just Bryce's job that is not absolutely set in concrete. Nobody's is, you've got to perform week in and week out. Become somebody that we feel is playing at a level that we can win with."
Underwood, who signed a reported $12 million NIL deal as the top quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, threw for 170 yards and rushed for 47 yards against Western Michigan, accounting for both of Michigan's touchdowns. He also threw one interception. As a freshman last season, Underwood recorded 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Whittingham's comments suggest a willingness to send a message to his highly touted quarterback, even with the significant investment in his NIL deal. The coach also acknowledged that improvement is expected from his coaching staff.
