Bryce Underwood isn’t easing into his senior year-he’s attacking it head-on. The top quarterback prospect is already deep into offseason training, and he’s not doing it alone. Underwood is working with one of the most respected names in quarterback development: Jordan Palmer.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Palmer, the younger brother of former NFL No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer, has carved out a reputation of his own as a go-to QB whisperer.
His résumé includes working with some of the NFL’s brightest stars-think Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow. Now, he’s adding Underwood to that list.
This isn’t just about polishing mechanics or tightening up footwork. This is a statement.
Underwood isn’t content with being good. He’s aiming to be great-potentially all-time great in a Michigan uniform.
After a rollercoaster year that included the surprising dismissal of head coach Sherrone Moore, Underwood appears locked in on resetting and taking control of his development.
And that’s exactly what new head coach Kyle Whittingham wants to see.
Whittingham, who joined the Rich Eisen Show last month, didn’t hold back when asked about Underwood’s potential-or the areas where he still needs to grow. The veteran coach pointed to footwork, timing, field vision, and progression reads as key areas of focus. But he also made it clear: the ceiling for Underwood is sky-high.
“The ceiling is so high,” Whittingham said. “Jason Beck, our offensive coordinator, is an absolute master at developing the quarterback.
The quarterbacks that he has trained and worked with have all had success. Jason will make sure that we smooth out some of the mechanics and some of the things he needs to work on.”
Beck, known for his quarterback-friendly approach, is expected to play a major role in helping Underwood make a quick transition. That’s especially important in today’s college football landscape, where rosters are in constant flux thanks to the transfer portal. Whittingham emphasized the need for a simplified, adaptable offensive system that allows new talent to contribute immediately.
“In this day and age of the portal, we have so many new guys that you better have a very user-friendly system on both sides of the ball,” Whittingham said. “You can’t be complicated anymore. You have to plug in 40-50 new guys, and they have to be able to help right away.”
That’s the environment Underwood is walking into-one that’s demanding but built to maximize his talent. With Palmer guiding him through the offseason and Beck ready to take the reins in-season, Underwood has the support system in place to thrive. Now, it’s about execution.
There’s no doubt the tools are there. The arm talent, the athleticism, the poise-it’s all part of the package.
But what separates good quarterbacks from great ones is the work they put in when no one’s watching. Right now, Underwood is putting in that work.
And if this offseason is any indication, he’s not just preparing for the next step-he’s preparing to lead.