Bryce Underwood Forced to Take Action as Defamation Campaign Against Michigan QB Intensifies After Spring Game

Bryce Underwood will be the most important storyline of the 2025 season. He got people taking note of him right since his high school career, notably after he flipped from LSU. Sherrone Moore will be beginning the season with Underwood as it’s increasingly looking likely that he’ll get the QB1 position. However, the No. 1 overall prospect of the 2025 recruiting class might still need some time to show what he’s worth. The world, however, is already out to pull him down from where he is at such a young age.

Underwood’s numbers made him the ultimate steal deal in the 2025 recruiting class. He ditched his long-time commitment to LSU to join Sherrone Moore at Michigan. He threw for a whopping total of 11,488 yards at Bellville, leading a team to a 13-1 finish in 2024. Underwood still holds on to his 5-star rating. However, his performance in the spring game was not quite what was expected of him. He looked frustrated throughout the game. He completed 12 of his 26 attempts, threw for 186 yards, and had a TD and an INT.

Once something unruly happens about an entity that is touted to be perfect, the rumor mill and the negative publicity get to work. Naturally, Bryce Underwood is now being downplayed because of that spring game. He acknowledged that he was having trouble with his arm. Underwood was also sacked on his first snap. Moore, however, was appreciative of his QB and noted that there was some work to be done. “Made some really, good throws and had some things we need to clean up and get better at,” he said. But Bryce Underwood, in his true Underwood self, is letting the whisperers know that he isn’t much bothered by the game.

He commented a whole string of laughing emojis (the kind with tears) under a post from Elite College Football, which indicated that there was trouble with Michigan’s QB battle. It also mentioned Jadyn Davis’ numbers: 6-16, 74 yards, and 2 interceptions. Compared to him, Underwood was a lot better.

Again, that comment is not a surprise. This is coming from a guy who claims he’ll win a “couple of Heismans and at least one Natty.” Also, his age is remarkably ignored in these negative claims. He’s only a freshman and is no seasoned CFB quarterback. Underwood has game, spirit, and talent; he’s not going to sit silent as people try to make dents in his image.

Bryce Underwood is facing defamation for no fault of his own

This is not the first time the media has doubted Bryce Underwood. Barstool Sports ran an article on him after a photo of him looking inactive and underprepared went viral. The headline read, “Bryce Underwood Looks Like He’s Been Eating Good Since Michigan Paid Him $12 Million To Commit There.” The photo is not confirmed to be recent, and no other verifications have been made so far. Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast’s reportage from Michigan’s spring practice unknowingly led to the whole drama.

However, Lewan, a Michigan alum, sided with the program as he added his personal take on the issue. The training center affiliated to the school shared a picture of Underwood with his very visible abs. “Stop with the defamation,” read the text alongside the picture. Lewan wrote on X, “A lotta people got something to say about 19s tummy. If you saw what I saw at practice the other day, you’d be terrified to see this man lining up against your team. Go Blue.” Underwood, on the other hand, just like how he commented, shared the Barstool post with a string of laughing emojis on an Instagram story.

It’s not easy being a 17-year-old and having to constantly dismiss whispers that try to pull you down. Underwood’s numbers do not lie. Sure, heavy is the head that wears the crown. But you’ve got to let the wearer get some time to grow strong enough to hold his head up high. When Underwood does show his brilliance later on in the season, the community will have a different variety of things to talk about.