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 to Keene being the starter for the Wolverines when they begin their 2025 campaign against the New Mexico Lobos.
However, Pete Nakos of On3 reported today that Underwood is turning heads in camp and might just be the starter on Week 1 instead.
The biggest note there is that Keene has yet to participate in spring camp, though exactly why he hasn’t or any timeline for his return is a complete unknown at this point.
Keene’s no show in camp is a surprise, considering there was no mention of an injury prior to his arrival in Ann Arbor, and he played in all 12 games last season for Fresno State.
With Keene not participating and Davis Warren still sidelined from a torn ACL, Underwood’s only serious competition in the quarterback room is redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis, who couldn’t get any playing time even when Michigan rotated multiple quarterbacks last season.
The staff was adamant about pursuing a veteran quarterback in the offseason so that they wouldn’t have to start Underwood early as a freshman. The Wolverines have to travel to Oklahoma in Week 2 and have road games against Nebraska and USC as well early on in the season.
Michigan’s offense across the board also needs a serious boost in talent. The offensive line is a significant cause for concern, something that would give me pause about starting a true freshman right away, and the skill position talent is a work in progress across the board as well. The Wolverines two best receiving options in 2024, Colston Loveland and Tyler Morris, are no longer with the team.
Underwood’s talent is undeniable, but starting him this early feels like a significant gamble for the Wolverines. If anyone could make it work, though, it feels like Underwood is the kind of player to bet on.