Whittingham gives Underwood 'A-plus' grade through six fall camp practices

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham handed sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood an 'A-plus' grade through the first six practices of fall camp, telling Big Ten Network analysts Dave Revsine and Gerry DiNardo on Wednesday that the second-year signal-caller is well ahead of where he stood at the close of spring ball.

"He's coming along well. He's had a great first six days. He's much further ahead than he was at the end of spring," Whittingham said during the network's annual training camp tour stop in Ann Arbor. "He obviously worked hard this summer and did a lot of positive things, getting himself ready in the film room, on the field. So far, through six practices, I grade it an A-plus."

Bryce has a ton of physical ability. He's got a big-time arm. He does a lot of things well. But in the final analysis, us putting him in position to succeed is what our job is — and we're working hard doing that.

— Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham

Underwood Steps Into Leadership

Underwood, speaking during the same Big Ten Network special that aired Wednesday, said his primary offseason focus extended beyond mechanics and into a vocal leadership role. "For me, the biggest goal was to be more of a leader, which is vocally," Underwood said. "I feel like I took that role pretty well with the trust of my teammates, so that was my biggest focus going into this year." He also credited a sharper mental approach, noting that he has leaned into the spiritual side of preparation to help settle his mind before practices.

Underwood and wide receiver Andrew Marsh, both sophomores who enrolled early together last year, discussed their comfort within new offensive coordinator Jason Beck's power-spread system. Underwood said the scheme better showcases the roster's full range of talent. "I feel like we're using all of our talent that we have on the offensive side, and I feel like we're gonna have all the best 11 players on the field at all times," he said. Marsh described the offense as explosive and receiver-friendly while still capable of running the ball.

Whittingham, now roughly eight months into his tenure in Ann Arbor, told the network he arrived expecting Michigan's resources, tradition, and academic profile and has not been disappointed. He said his coaching staff — many of whom followed him from Utah — helped bridge the transition, and that the player group has embraced a tough, disciplined, blue-collar culture. Michigan opened fall camp on Aug. 4 and is scheduled to open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at home against Western Michigan.