The Big Ten is in flux, with teams breaking in new and untested quarterbacks. But Michigan? They might have a rising star. Bryce Underwood has the talent to crash the All-Big Ten conversation, but there’s competition. Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, who tossed 18 touchdowns last season, is a serious contender. And let’s not forget Davis Warren—still in the mix. Amidst the QB1 battle, Michigan’s stance on Underwood’s future is making waves. Will it be the veteran Keene, the electric Underwood, or a surprise move with Warren? The Wolverines’ quarterback decision could shape their season—and turn heads across the conference.

James Yoder from Michigan Football Report just dropped a major update on Sherrone Moore’s quarterback room. In his latest YouTube video, he laid out the spring depth chart heading into the first padded practice.”Davis Warren started last year, but I think he’s going to drop back to QB3,” Yoder explained. But then came the real bombshell about Bryce Underwood. “Michigan doesn’t really know what they have with Underwood yet. Is he ready to be the guy?” That’s the million-dollar question. The hype is real, but is Underwood truly prepared to take the reins?

Here, Yoder’s response concerning Underwood’s future at Michigan was exact. He laid it out plain and simple: “I hope Underwood is everything he’s hyped up to be and takes over from day one—maybe even by practice five this spring. But we’ve all seen big-time recruits take time to develop, sometimes not making an impact until their second or third year. Underwood might be the most hyped and most highly anticipated recruit in Michigan football history.“

However, don’t count Underwood out of the QB1 race just yet. Yoder broke down a possible path for him, tying it to Michigan’s schedule: “A trip to Oklahoma in the second game of the year will be a big test. There’s at least a scenario where Keane starts the season opener, gets the job for Oklahoma, then the third game at home, and the fourth game on the road against Nebraska. If he’s playing well, maybe it’s a McCarthy situation—Underwood coming in and playing a bunch,” said the CFB insider.

He didn’t stop there. He doubled down on his take, making it clear where Michigan’s future is headed: “The future looks bright. Keene won’t be there in 2026, so Underwood is the guy, no matter what. Maybe Michigan loses a game, say the seventh game of the year, and with a bye week, they make the switch to Underwood,” said a Michigan insider. As of now, it’s not a question of if Underwood takes over—it’s when.

Yoder is not alone in raising concerns about Michigan’s challenging schedule—ESPN’s Greg McElroy also shared his thoughts. “I just think that order [of games]—home, away, home, away [is tough]. That Washington game is dangerous because you have [a game] at SC, and you have [a game] at Michigan State, the rivalry game the following week. I think that’s dangerous,” said McElroy. With a gauntlet like that, throwing a true freshman into the fire is a major decision. In this scenario, Underwood might have to wait his turn before taking the reins as QB1.

Who else is there if it’s not Bryce Underwood?

Underwood, the 17-year-old five-star sensation from Michigan, officially joined the Wolverines in late January. According to 247 Sports, he’s the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the Class of 2025. And his arrival is already making waves. Head coach Sherrone Moore couldn’t hide his excitement, praising Underwood’s relentless work ethic and drive to improve. “I mean, anytime you get the number one player, not only in your state, but the country, I think that’s a huge thing for the program, a huge thing for us momentum-wise.” The future is bright in Ann Arbor, and Underwood is at the center of it all.

For now, Underwood is seen as Michigan’s future but not necessarily its immediate QB1. Since J.J. McCarthy’s departure in 2024, the Wolverines have been searching for stability under center. While Underwood brings star power, ESPN’s McElroy leans toward experience, favoring Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene to take the reins. McElroy praised Michigan’s move, saying, “He can probably steer the ship.” The competition is heating up in Ann Arbor, but the question remains—who will lead the Wolverines into battle?

Simply put, the ESPN analyst believes Michigan’s QB—whoever it may be—must manage the game better than last year’s rotation. The Wolverines saw midseason changes from Warren to Alex Orji to Jack Tuttle, searching for consistency. McElroy broke it down, saying, “This is an offense that, I think, doesn’t need too much from the quarterback spot. If they can continue to run the ball with efficiency. If they can continue to be a very physical football team that can lean on their defense.” Safe to say, with Michigan’s dominant run game and tough defense, the QB’s job is clear—keep the ship steady.

Now, the real question—who will be the steady hand for Moore’s Michigan? Will it be the experienced Keene or the electrifying Bryce Underwood? To be honest, Wolverines fans, the QB battle is just getting started.