ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Building a standout quarterback is all about starting from the ground up, and for Michigan’s new offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, that means watching the feet.
Beck has a knack for understanding a quarterback's mindset just by observing their footwork. Take Bryce Underwood, for instance. Last year, the 18-year-old freshman’s feet and mind weren’t always on the same page, despite his impressive arm talent.
“When a quarterback’s feet are moving a lot, it reflects their thinking speed,” Beck explained. “They’re a bit uneasy. It’s about getting reps to slow everything down.”
Unlocking Underwood’s potential is a top priority for Beck this spring. Michigan’s previous coaching staff placed a heavy load on Underwood but struggled to address his inconsistencies. His final two games were tough - just 63 yards against Ohio State and three interceptions in the Citrus Bowl against Texas.
With coach Sherrone Moore’s departure, Underwood had a chance for a fresh start in 2026. He chose to stay at Michigan, bolstered by the December hiring of Kyle Whittingham.
“It was a blessing, how quickly we shifted gears for the next year,” Underwood said. “Having Whittingham here is pushing us to be our best.”
Underwood, the top recruit of 2025, brings a level of talent Whittingham hasn’t seen since his Utah days. With no quarterback drafted from Utah since Alex Smith in 2005, Underwood’s skills elevate both Whittingham’s prospects at Michigan and the stakes for the coaching staff.
Whittingham enlisted Beck, who revamped Utah’s offense after a lackluster 2024 season. Beck’s expertise with quarterbacks like Taysom Hill and Tanner Mangum at BYU, and Bryce Perkins at Virginia, is well-documented.
Beck’s reputation soared in 2024, orchestrating a top FBS offense at New Mexico. His quarterback there, Devon Dampier, followed him to Utah, racking up over 3,330 yards, including 2,490 passing and 835 rushing.
“Really good quarterback play” was key at New Mexico and Utah, where Beck’s offenses ranked No. 4 in FBS yards per game. Michigan didn’t see the same results last year with Underwood completing 60% of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and nine picks.
Whittingham is committed to developing Underwood, avoiding the transfer portal for seasoned quarterbacks. He brought in Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. to aid this process. The focus is on reps in a new offense that Beck describes as “quite a bit different” from last year’s.
Beck plans to leverage Underwood’s strengths, including his running ability. “Using the QB run game suits Bryce,” Beck noted.
“When he takes off, he’s impressive. We’ll build on his talents.”
Underwood’s freshman year was challenging, but he retained confidence and the trust of his teammates, earning a captaincy this spring. The belief in his potential fuels optimism for Whittingham’s first spring at Michigan.
“He’s not young anymore,” said running back Jordan Marshall. “He’ll be better. I still believe he’ll win the Heisman someday.”
Underwood’s offseason included sessions with renowned quarterback coach Jordan Palmer, focusing on mechanics outside the practice field.
Underwood acknowledged the benefits: “It’s about being the best me.” His inconsistency often stemmed from not setting his feet, leading to inaccurate throws. Beck believes the solution lies in comfort with the offense, not drastic mechanical changes.
“A good base and alignment toward the target are key for accuracy,” Beck said. “We’re focusing on aligning footwork with reads and decisions.”
While many programs opt for ready-made transfer quarterbacks, Michigan is betting on development with Underwood. The payoff wasn’t immediate, but with new leadership and strategy, they’re hopeful for a breakthrough.
“Using everything I’m blessed with, I’m ready to show the world,” Underwood declared.