In Year 2, Michigan QB Bryce Underwood focuses on 'just playing my game'

Ann Arbor — Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood was installed as QB1 ahead of spring practice by head coach Kyle Whittingam, so this spring isn’t about competing for the job but refining skills and finding improvement. Underwood arrived as the nation’s No. 1 recruit and started every game last season as a freshman.

He threw for 2,428 yards and had 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and he ran for 392 yards and scored six times. But deep into the season, his game seemed to slip, and his footwork broke down and he made some poor reads. Then there was the coaching transition as Whittingham, who spent the last 21 seasons as Utah head coach, replaced fired head coach Sherrone Moore last December.

Priority one for Whittingham was keeping Underwood on the roster . They met immediately after Whittingham was introduced to the team, and Underwood liked what he heard. “I was gonna stay home no matter what,” Underwood said Wednesday.

With this new staff at Michigan, Underwood is focusing on footwork and technique. He also is working on his own with California-based quarterback coach Jordan Palmer. Underwood called Palmer “one of the best additions” he’s made to help shape his game.