Michigan Unleashes Bryce Underwood: Designed Runs Coming
Michigan Wolverines Football: Bryce Underwood’s Second Season – What’s New and What to Expect
The Big Picture: A Fresh Start for a Young Quarterback
Last year, Bryce Underwood was just 18 years old when he became Michigan’s starting quarterback. Head coach Kyle Whittingham admits the team expected him to play like "Superman" right away — and that wasn’t fair to a teenager learning on the job.
Important Point: This season, the coaches want to take that "Superman" pressure OFF Underwood’s shoulders. They don’t want him forcing risky plays that lead to turnovers. Instead, they want him to play smart, steady football.
New Offensive Coordinator, New Approach
Jason Beck is Michigan’s new offensive coordinator (the coach who designs the plays). He has a clear vision for how Underwood should play:
Designed Runs Are Now Part of the Plan
- Underwood proved last year he can run with the ball
- NEW this season: The coaching staff will plan specific running plays for him
- This adds a "second layer" the defense must worry about — they can’t just focus on his passing
Coach Beck’s Philosophy (In His Own Words)
"I love a guy that can be a weapon with his legs in the run game. Now, he still has to do the other thing at a high level — throw the football and score points and win. But to have a threat with everything that way, I definitely prefer it."
Fun Fact: Beck coached Taysom Hill at BYU — a famous quarterback who was amazing at both running AND passing. That experience shapes how he wants to use Underwood.
The Balancing Act: Confidence vs. Carelessness
Underwood is naturally confident — he believes he can make any throw. But there’s a fine line:
| What Coaches Want | What Coaches Don’t Want |
|---|---|
| Make the routine plays consistently | Force throws into tiny windows ("I can make every throw!") |
| Keep the offense moving (convert 3rd downs) | Take unnecessary hits running through defenders |
| When play breaks down → scramble smartly | Try to be "Superman" on every snap |
How They Practice This Mindset
- Game-like scenarios: Practice isn’t just drills — it’s 2nd-and-7, 3rd-and-9 situations
- Consequences: If you don’t get the first down, your group comes off the field
- Repetition: "Make the routine plays" is pounded into them daily
- Scramble drills: Specific practice for when plays break down — teaching smart decisions
Important Point: The goal isn’t to stop Underwood from making big plays. It’s to make sure he picks the RIGHT moments — not forcing things just because he can.
Backup Quarterback Battle: Two Very Different Paths
Michigan has an open competition for the #2 quarterback spot:
The Contenders
| Player | Background | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tommy Carr | True freshman (first year of college) | Had "clear advantage" early in camp |
| Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi | Transfer from Colorado State — 28 games started, 6,938 passing yards, 38 TDs, 29 INTs | Struggled at first ("swimming"), but caught up fast in last week |
What’s Happening Now
- They’re splitting practice reps evenly ("battling it out")
- Beck says: "They’re competing like crazy… really like the progress [Brayden’s] made, and Tommy’s been getting better"
- A decision will come soon, but both are pushing each other to improve
Injury & Health Updates
Good News
- Offense: "Relatively healthy" — only minor tweaks, no major issues
- Dom Nichols (edge rusher on defense): Missed a few practices but is back now
- Rod Moore (safety): Major comeback story!
Rod Moore’s Inspiring Return
- April 2024: Tore ACL (major knee ligament) → missed entire 2024 season
- 2025: Played only 3 games while recovering
- NOW: Named team captain for 3rd straight year (teammates clearly respect his leadership)
- This week: 4 straight practices — first time in a long time!
- Coach Jay Hill: "I see him getting better physically every day… he’s on pace"
- Projected: Starting safety — "If we have him full speed, he makes us better for sure."
Summary: Key Takeaways for the Upcoming Season
- Underwood Year 2: Less "Superman" pressure, more smart, deliberate play
- New Offense: Designed quarterback runs add a dangerous new dimension
- Coach Beck’s System: Practice mimics real games → builds correct in-game mindset
- Backup QB Battle: Experienced transfer vs. talented freshman — competition makes both better
- Health: Offense solid, defense getting key players back (Nichols, Moore)
- Rod Moore: Captain + comeback player — emotional and athletic leader returning to form
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why did they expect an 18-year-old to be "Superman" last year?
Because Michigan had high expectations and Underwood was the starter by default. The coaches now realize that was unrealistic — like asking a new driver to race in the Indy 500.
2. What exactly are "designed runs"?
Plays drawn up beforehand where the quarterback runs on purpose — not just scrambling when a pass play fails. Think: quarterback keeper, read-option, zone read.
3. Is Bryce Underwood actually good at running?
Yes! He showed flashes last year. Now the coaches are building the offense around that skill instead of treating it as a bonus.
4. Why does the backup QB competition matter if Underwood is the starter?
Injuries happen. A good backup keeps the team competitive if the starter goes down. Plus, competition makes everyone sharper in practice.
5. How big is Rod Moore’s return for the defense?
Huge. He was a captain before his injury — that means teammates trust his judgment. Getting a leader and a playmaker back at safety changes the whole defense’s confidence.
Source: Original reporting by Angelique Chengelis, The Detroit News (Updated Aug. 20, 2026)