Urban Meyer has seen enough to pick a side in Michigan’s quarterback conversation.
After speaking with Kyle Whittingham, Meyer now believes Tommy Carr should be the starter over Bryce Underwood, pointing to Carr’s comfort in the offense as the biggest reason the switch makes sense. On Dan Dakich’s Outkick show, Meyer said the move is easier because Carr is running the same system Underwood has been using, while Underwood has been far more limited.
“Tommy Carr is a guy that Kyle Whittingham has been talking (about),” Meyer said. “I talk to Coach Whitt every couple of weeks.
And he loves the kid. But he actually loved Bryce Underwood.
He's a great worker, incredible talent. He's the only first-round talent I saw on that field.
We covered him a couple times this year. He's a freak athlete.
"Against Oklahoma, he ran, and he played a really good game against Iowa. So I thought he was starting to come together.
And then it hasn't been good. So normally when you have like a Chris Leak and a Tebow, they're two completely different offenses.
And you have a different game plan. I watched what they did with Tommy Carr.
They ran the exact same. He scored on a Bryce Underwood play.
And he almost scored on another Bryce Underwood play. So they're running the same offense.
So the transition wasn't that difficult.
“If you have two different styles of offenses, it really cuts into your practice time, especially this late in the year. So, but I think that Coach Whitt can say whatever he wants, Tommy Carr is your starting quarterback.
Oh, yeah, it's over. He has to, yeah.
He scored 21 points. They lose that game if Bryce Underwood's in that game.”
Even with Meyer’s confidence in Carr, he did not write off Underwood. He said the quarterback stayed locked in on the sideline and still has a future if he keeps developing.
“The positive is, and I watch closely, is he was so engaged,” Meyer said. “He must be a hell of a guy. You know, he must be.
“A lot of times you would think he might pack his bags and go, but he was engaged. He's fully engaged.
He's still relatively young. I'm not giving up on Bryce Underwood.
I saw what I saw. I see a freak athlete that probably played before he was ready.
So I would not give up on that kid. And what does that mean?
For Kyle Whittingham, all he's got to do is find a way to compete against Indiana. He can't worry about that.
At some point, you gotta worry about that. Not now.”
Michigan’s next chance to sort things out comes Saturday against Indiana in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is set for 12:10 p.m. EDT, and Meyer will be on the Fox broadcast for the game.
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Bryce Underwood Just Put Michigans Quarterback Future On Edge
Bryce Underwoods status has suddenly become one of the biggest talking points around Michigan, after the Wolverines made the move to bench him in favor of Tommy Carr for the upcoming game. Underwood arrived with enormous expectations and an NIL package reportedly worth more than $10 million, so any shift in his role carries immediate weight for the programs short- and long-term plans.
Underwood has not been confirmed as a portal entrant, but the possibility is enough to send the speculation machine into overdrive given how heavily Michigan invested in him. If he does decide to move on, familiar recruiting ties and roster needs would make places like LSU, Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia, and Kentucky worth watching closely, which is exactly why this situation feels so sensitive for a Wolverines team trying to protect its quarterback future. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Offense Just Took A Turn Fans Need To Watch
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Jeremiah Earby, the former Boise State cornerback, is now officially on the Michigan roster and eligible to play right away, adding another experienced piece to the secondary. The future also got a little brighter when three-star receiver Yuto Kawamura-Johnson flipped his commitment from Toledo to Michigan for the 2027 class, a reminder that the staff is still working to build depth even as the focus shifts to the present. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Just Got A New Chance To Raid Marylands Defense
Marylands coaching change has already put a fresh layer of intrigue on Michigans recruiting plans, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Locksleys firing after a 2-5 start and a 12-game conference losing streak has opened the door for roster movement, and the Wolverines are positioned to keep a close eye on several names who could matter to their future. Zion Elee, Daniel Wingate and Eyan Thomas all sit in that mix, while Michigans own defensive needs make the situation especially relevant.
Kenaz Sullivan is another player worth tracking, particularly because Michigan had already been in contact with him before Locksley was let go. For a program that is still looking to bolster its defense, Marylands instability creates a familiar kind of recruiting opportunity: a chance to get in early, stay involved, and see whether the shuffle in College Park leads to a bigger opening down the line. [Read more 🡒]