Michigan’s offense is still a work in progress, but Jason Beck likes the direction it’s heading.
After 13 fall practices, the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator said the group has stacked enough good work to feel encouraged about where things stand, especially with Bryce Underwood settling in and the passing game starting to find some rhythm with younger receivers.
“We’ve made a lot of really good progress,” Beck said. “We feel really good with where we’re at, the progress we’re making and with just about two weeks to go.”
Underwood has been one of the main stories of camp, and Beck said the quarterback has answered with a steadier stretch after an uneven freshman season. He pointed to improved footwork as part of the jump, though he also stressed that Michigan does not want the quarterback getting lost in the details once the games start.
“He’s had 13 good practices,” Beck said. “He’s been really steady.”
Beck also said Underwood has handled snaps from under center without issue. Michigan works on that exchange every day, and the staff has not seen it become a problem.
What the coaches are pushing most, though, is restraint. Beck said Underwood needs to avoid pressing, protect himself when he runs and stay away from forcing throws into crowded windows.
“Just make the routine plays,” Beck said. “When everything breaks down, extend it, scramble, get what you can get.”
Behind Underwood, the quarterback race has tightened up. Beck said Tommy Carr and Brady Smigiel are still battling, with Carr’s early edge coming from his comfort in the offense. Smigiel, though, has surged over the last week.
“They’ve just been splitting all the two reps and just kind of battling it out,” Beck said.
Carr brings more mobility and the ability to create when a play goes off script. Smigiel, Beck said, has the stronger arm and is accurate once he commits to a throw.
The offensive line is also still being sorted out. Beck singled out Jake Guarnera as a steady option at center and said Andrew Sprague has played well at tackle. Competition continues among Andrew Babalola, Blake Frazier, Evan Link, Nathan Efobi, Brady Norton and Avery Gach.
Even with those jobs unsettled, Beck said the line has made progress in pass protection, especially on the outside. He credited Michigan’s defensive line for making every day in practice a real test.
“We’re getting great work every day in practice,” Beck said.
Michigan’s depth at running back gives the staff some flexibility, too. Beck said the Wolverines could use two backs at once, with Savion Hiter and Jordan Marshall among the players who could be on the field together. The challenge is balancing that idea with the reality that Michigan has only three primary backs.
The same kind of personnel puzzle exists at receiver. Beck said the No. 3 role is still open, and who fills it may depend on the package. The staff wants to put players in spots that match what they do best.
“We want to play to each guy’s skill set,” Beck said.
Tight end has been a steadier part of the offense, with Beck saying that group has offered consistency and should feature multiple contributors based on what each player does well.
Beck also made clear he’s long been drawn to quarterbacks who can hurt defenses with their legs. He pointed back to his time at BYU, including his work with Taysom Hill.
“I love a guy that can be a weapon with his legs in the run game,” Beck said.
Still, he said that kind of mobility only matters if the quarterback can also operate as a passer at a high level.
“He still has to do the other thing at a high level,” Beck said.
As the opener gets closer, Michigan’s priorities remain straightforward: keep improving, keep building depth and keep putting players in positions where they can succeed. The staff is also managing workloads carefully, using sports science and strength staff data to balance conditioning and recovery so the team can be fresh when it matters.
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