For years, Michigan football has been known more for its punishing ground game and physicality than any aerial fireworks. Even during the high points of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Wolverines’ passing attack was more efficient than electric - steady enough to win games, but rarely the kind of unit that kept defensive coordinators up at night.
That might finally be changing - and not just in flashes, but in a way that feels sustainable.
Less than a month into Kyle Whittingham’s tenure in Ann Arbor, the offense already looks like it’s turning a corner. And the biggest reason for that optimism?
A passing game that finally has a clear identity - and a plan. From the top down, the coaching changes, quarterback development strategy, and upgraded skill positions are giving Michigan a ceiling it hasn’t sniffed in decades.
It all starts with Bryce Underwood.
Underwood came in with five-star expectations and found himself in a tough spot right away. No dedicated quarterbacks coach.
A conservative game plan that kept the training wheels on. A head coach with one foot out the door.
And yet, Underwood still managed to flash the kind of upside that made him one of the most coveted recruits in the country. He showed poise under pressure, a live arm, and enough mobility to keep defenses honest - even if the staff never fully tapped into that part of his game.
The fact that he still finished with nearly 400 rushing yards says plenty.
Now, heading into his sophomore season, Underwood finally has the support system he needs to thrive. Enter new offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. - and with them, a clear developmental roadmap.
Beck’s track record speaks for itself: he builds confident quarterbacks who play fast and decisively. His system isn’t built on hope and deep drops; it’s built on structure, rhythm, and putting the quarterback in position to succeed.
This is a physical, run-first offense at its core, but it’s laced with modern wrinkles - RPOs, constraint plays, and formations that stretch defenses horizontally and vertically. It’s designed to make defenses cover every inch of the field - and finally, Michigan has the receivers to make that happen.
Andrew Marsh showed last season that he could be a go-to guy in the Big Ten, even as a true freshman. Keeping him in the fold was huge.
But now he’s got help. Jaime Ffrench, a transfer from Texas, and JJ Buchanan, who arrives from Utah, give Michigan a trio that can win at all three levels.
Marsh’s route polish, Ffrench’s explosiveness, and Buchanan’s versatility offer a balanced group that’s going to be a challenge for any secondary.
And it doesn’t stop there. Depth is no longer a concern - it’s a weapon.
Channing Goodwin, Jamar Browder, Kendrick Bell, and talented freshmen Salesi Moa and Travis Johnson give Beck the ability to mix and match personnel, create mismatches, and keep defenses guessing. This is shaping up to be a true “everyone eats” offense - a hallmark of Beck’s time at Utah.
Tight ends will also have a bigger role in the passing game. Senior Zack Marshall has emerged as a steady presence, while junior Hogan Hansen is expected to make a bigger impact after an injury-limited season. And don’t be surprised if Buchanan gets some looks in tight end-heavy sets - Beck isn’t shy about moving his chess pieces around to create space and confusion.
The biggest shift, though, might be philosophical. For the first time in a while, Michigan’s offense feels like it knows what it wants to be.
The post-Harbaugh identity crisis seems to be in the rearview mirror. This is still a physical team - that’s not going away - but it’s no longer predictable.
It’s no longer one-dimensional. And most importantly, it’s being built around a quarterback whose best football is still ahead of him.
Could this be the most dynamic passing attack Michigan has had since the Chad Henne days - or even better? That’s not just blind hope.
The pieces are there. If Underwood makes the leap we often see from Year 1 to Year 2 quarterbacks, and if this receiver group continues to gel, Michigan could be a legitimate threat through the air next season.
And for a program that’s long leaned on its defense and run game, that’s a game-changer.