Should the Michigan Wolverines pursue another transfer quarterback in the spring portal window to push Bryce Underwood?
The Michigan Wolverines found their quarterback of the future in Bryce Underwood, but they were cautious enough that they opted in to bring in another more experienced quarterback out of the transfer portal so they didn't have to start Underwood right away as an 18-year-old freshman quarterback. However, the transfer quarterback they did bring in, […]
The Michigan Wolverines found their quarterback of the future in Bryce Underwood, but they were cautious enough that they opted in to bring in another more experienced quarterback out of the transfer portal so they didn't have to start Underwood right away as an 18-year-old freshman quarterback.
However, the transfer quarterback they did bring in, Mikey Keene, has yet to practice so far in the spring. The only competition for Underwood is redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis, who has impressed, but is a year removed from a season where he couldn't see the field over Alex Orji, even after Orji entered the portal.
This doesn't feel like an ideal environment around Underwood, who is walking unopposed into the starting job right away. While he is reportedly handling it well, it's impossible to know how or if that will sustain itself down the line and in the season.
Could Bryce Underwood be Michigan Wolverines’ Week 1 starter despite transfer quarterback’s arrival?
Earlier this week, I wrote about transfer quarterback Mikey Keene for the Michigan Wolverines. Sherrone Moore detailed what he loved about Keene as a transfer and why he and the Wolverines' staff highly coveted Keene out of the transfer portal. These signs, combined with Keene's experience and familiarity with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, point […]
Maybe Keene returns to form, but spring practices are close to ending, and that's a significant portion of the offseason to miss out on. Who knows how long Keene will even be out for as well? What happens if Underwood gets hurt before Keene is back? Davis Warren is also recovering from a torn ACL in the bowl game, so Michigan has half of its quarterback room rehabbing instead of practicing.
The Wolverines have no proven depth behind Underwood and no serious competition for the starting job right now. Iron sharpens iron in the football world, and that's an important factor in developing a young talent like Underwood.
When the spring portal transfer window opens up, it might be prudent to pursue another quarterback to add to the room. Michigan doesn't need to add a world-beater elite talent at quarterback right now, but having an experienced mind who is a serious competitor for the starting job that Underwood can lean on would be a wise move in the spring portal.
