Bryce Underwood’s path at Michigan looks increasingly narrow, and if he does end up in the transfer portal, there’s no shortage of programs that could make a run at him.
The latest turn came Monday, when Kyle Whittingham announced after Tommy Carr’s second start that Carr will remain the starting quarterback moving forward for the “foreseeable future.” Carr backed that up in a 28-21 win over Rutgers, completing 22 of 27 passes for 266 yards while also running for 54 yards and a touchdown. That decision doesn’t automatically close the door on Underwood, but it makes his future in Ann Arbor look far less certain, especially if Whittingham is still the head coach next season.
If Underwood does move on, the fit that jumps out first is Ole Miss. Trinidad Chambliss is moving on after this season, and the Rebels will need a new quarterback.
Offensive coordinator John David Becker has done well with Chambliss, and the system appears to suit a player like Underwood. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, with elite arm talent and 4.4/4.5 speed, he brings the kind of tools that can pop in a read-option setup.
The Oklahoma game showed what he can do as a runner, and in the right offense, he could still become a successful quarterback. Ole Miss could also land a five-star talent at a bargain.
Missouri is another name that stands out, largely because of Chip Lindsey. That connection matters here.
Austin Simmons is a senior, though he would have a fifth year if he chooses to use it, and he has thrown 16 touchdown passes against only two interceptions this season. He hasn’t contributed much as a runner, but the idea of pairing Underwood with Lindsey is appealing.
There’s familiarity there, and Lindsey’s best games with Underwood came when Sherrone Moore wasn’t coaching, which made him less conservative. Simmons would likely return, but Underwood has already shown he can back up without creating problems.
He may not want to sit, but that route worked for Dante Moore, who was trending toward being a top-five pick before his recent injury. Underwood could spend a year learning, then still have two seasons left to show what he can do.
Kentucky also makes sense, even if it’s a different kind of pitch. The Wildcats don’t have the NIL war chest some SEC rivals can offer, but Underwood has already made his money in that area.
At this point, the next move should be about getting him back on track for the next level. He is not currently on track to be a draftable quarterback, and Will Stein could help change that.
Stein guided Moore last season and got him into the conversation as the potential No. 1 overall pick. Kentucky’s Kenny Minchey is playing at a high level, with 16 touchdown passes and only one interception, and he has another year available, so Underwood might have to wait.
Still, that same setup worked for Moore under the same coach, and if Underwood is willing to sit, it would make sense for both sides.
Oregon belongs in the mix too, especially given its recent track record with former five-star quarterbacks. The Ducks have already landed two through the portal, so why not three?
It worked with Dante Moore, though Moore is now out for the rest of this season, and it remains unclear whether he will return or enter the NFL draft. Dylan Raiola’s future is also unsettled, and if Moore leaves, Underwood and Raiola could compete for the job.
Underwood is not as polished a passer, but he is a more dangerous runner, which could even open the door to both of them playing for a stretch until Underwood settles in. Oregon just fired its offensive coordinator, so that hire will matter a lot in quarterback recruiting.
If Moore comes back and Raiola transfers, Underwood could end up following Moore’s path almost exactly.
USC rounds out the list. Jayden Maiava is a redshirt senior, which means he has no years left after this one, and there is no obvious heir apparent waiting behind him.
The Trojans do have talented quarterbacks in the pipeline, but Lincoln Riley has already shown he can get elite production from quarterbacks, including Jalen Hurts. Underwood would have to learn a new system, but Riley has a strong track record with dual-threat quarterbacks and would know how to use him.
He would also have three years to play. It would be a bet on both sides, but the pairing would be a fascinating one.
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At 1-7, the Titans are already positioned for a premium selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, with the kind of draft capital that can reshape a roster if the front office plays it right. The intriguing part is where that pick could land and who might be available, including wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, even if receiver is not the clearest hole on the roster. For Tennessee, the real suspense is no longer about this seasons standings, but how high the draft race can carry them and what they do with the opportunity when it arrives. [Read more 🡒]