ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The hype train for Michigan football freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood isn't slowing down anytime soon.
The No. 1 overall recruit in 2025 is on campus, practicing with the ones -- thanks in part to transfer Mikey Keene's injury precluding him from being as active in spring ball as anticipated. Battling things out with redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis -- who was a five-star at the time of his commitment but finished as a four-star -- the trajectory for Underwood appears to be very high. Even the defensive coaches can't help but marvel at what he brings to the table.
Secondary coach LaMar Morgan's unit has the privilege (if you can call it that) of defending Underwood's passes. Though Morgan was somewhat egalitarian, also giving praise to Davis, he couldn't help but marvel at the freshman phenom's mindset and work ethic as he prepares for the spring game.
"Yeah, I think Bryce is a unique kid," Morgan said. "I think the stuff that y'all see on the field will be, you know, y'all be excited about it, but I don't think y'all understand this kid's out there all day long. Him, both quarterbacks, they're just out there all day long working on what they need to do pre-practice, tempering, getting ready for practice, working on his drops, up here at meeting by himself, texting coaches about, hey, how are we doing this? I just think the preparation for a young kid like that is pretty unique because a lot of the great players, they have it in between their ears, and I think that's what he has."
Michigan is apparently opening things up offensively, evidenced not only by recruiting Underwood, but also with the offensive coordinator change with Chip Lindsey taking over that side of the ball. Considering that Morgan has to have his defensive backs ready to defend the pass game, he says that Underwood has been aptly preparing his group for facing a quarterback who can throw downfield with pinpoint accuracy.
It's an iron sharpens iron situation and one that Morgan is excited about, even if there are practices that don't go his way.
"The arm talent is as good as advertised. He's big, strong, physical, a leader, working hard," Morgan said. "But Bryce is -- I mean, both of those quarterbacks have done great. I mean, the throwing and catching this spring has been good for both sides, right? So, we're not defending a deep ball. We're not going to get good at playing the ball in the air if they're just doing quick game. You know, we can have some false confidence if we're sitting on some routes, and that's not how it's going to be on game day, as you all know. People are going to challenge us."
Fans will get an opportunity to see both Underwood and the defensive backs in action on April 19 in the annual spring game.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football defensive coach raves about Bryce Underwood talent
