Brice Marich, a Michigan Wolverines football/basketball reporter for the Michigan Insider on 247 Sports and CBS Sports, provided an update on the four-star quarterback on X about his performance from the pre-game for the spring game.

“Michigan freshman QB Brady Smigiel (@BradySmigiel) continues to rehab and recover from his injury, but did some throwing pre-game for the spring game and looked sharp. Another talented signal-caller in the QB room for @COACHKDJR.”

On October 6, 2025, it was reported that the Michigan Wolverines commit Brady Smigiel suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as per a report from Joe Curley of the Ventura County Star. 

Smigiel joins quarterback coach Koy Detmer and a stacked QB room with Bryce Underwood, Tommy Carr, and veteran college quarterback with almost 7,000 career passing yards, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. 

“By the time he’s done at Newbury Park, Smigiel will go down as one of the most prolific passers in California state history, ” Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst, wrote. “A four-year starter and two-time State Player of the Year selection and has been putting up video game numbers since he was a freshman.”

The reporter also added that the 19-year-old was a “pure pocket guy who can surgically carve apart a defense.” 

Before the QB could get injured in his senior year of high school, he completed 134-of-208 passes for 1,624 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns.

For 2026, California’s reigning Mr. Football will be a backup regardless of his health status, as Kyle Whittingham is putting all his eggs in one basket in starter Bryce Underwood. 

Kyle Whittingham on Bryce Underwood’s 2026 Season

Bryce Underwood decided to stay in-state and play for the Wolverines when he flipped his commitment from the LSU Tigers.

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Ankita Tirkey

The No. 1 overall prospect and five-star QB started as a true freshman for the Wolverines with decent numbers, resulting in hype for a 2026 under a new head coach.

“Didn’t have a dedicated quarterback coach last year, from what I was told,” Whittingham said on The Blue Print with Jake Butt podcast this week. “…We had, you talk about spring ball, but long before that, January, February, we’re in the film room and talking him through mechanics and footwork and read progressions and all that.”

In the April spring game, Underwood looked every bit a work in progress, 3-of-9 for just 22 yards with flashes of accuracy under pressure.

Underwood was not supposed to take part in the spring game, but still played one quarter. Koy Detmer joined coach Whittingham in Ann Arbor to be a dedicated coach for Bryce Underwood and the QB room.

For Whittingham and staff, it is a good problem to have a stacked QB room, and Smigiel is just going to add to that when he gets healthy.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

Former Michigan quarterback, David Cone, appeared on the ‘Michigan Podcast and Crain and Cone’ on April 29. He reassured fans not to worry about Underwood’s subpar performance in the spring game held on April 18. 

“That does not need to be foreshadowing for the fall. Most of the growth comes from summer camp and then fall camp. That’s where Bryce Underwood is going to have a lot of time to grow still. So I’m not panicking on this,” Cone said on the podcast. 

Bryce Underwood played for the Wolverines in his true freshman season, when most players redshirt have the option of sitting back and using that time to develop.  

He threw for 2,428 yards and 17 total touchdowns, with a 60.3 % completion rate. However, he also threw for nine interceptions in 13 appearances he made for the Wolverines.

Underwood’s issues of footwork and mechanics were evident in the spring game, which were highlighted by Cone.

“I talked with a lot of coaches around the country, the way that most of them still do is these periods are often times scripted and not just for the offense but also for the defense,” Cone further added on the podcast. 

There is plenty of time between now and the start of the season for Bryce Underwood to improve his game. With Whittingham and a designated quarterbacks coach on board, it will enable Underwood overcome his issues before the upcoming season. 

Cone Highlights Underwood’s Strength As QB

Underwood entered the Big House after having one of the highest-ever composite rankings of any recruit. He received Michigan High School Football Player of the Year honors twice in 2023 and 2024.

Trending slideshow: Michigan Football Spring Game: Bryce Underwood Set To Start The Game

Manoj Bhattacharjee

David Cone, who was recruited by Lloyd Carr (true freshman Tommy Carr’s grandfather), spoke about Underwood’s greatest ability. 

“No one throws a better fastball than Bryce Underwood. The arm strength is clearly there. He could have played at this level from an arm strength perspective as a 16-year-old,” Cone said. 

Underwood will enter the 2026 season as the starter for the maize and blue. His QB coach, Koy Detmer, has a plan on how he wants to use him. 

“Totally. We want to utilize our quarterback skill set and put him in positions to be the most successful he can be, and with Bryce, there is an element of running that he does really well,” Detmer said.

Apart from the arm strength, Underwood is also known to be a dual-threat quarterback. Detmer plans on using his rushing skills to escape the pocket and integrate it into his game plan for the upcoming season.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

“Mizzou freshman linebacker JJ Bush has been suspended indefinitely, the team tells me, after he was arrested Monday night on a Class D felony charge of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle,” read writer Calum McAndrew’s X post.

According to The Columbia Tribune, he was observed traveling at “approximately 80 mph” at about 10 p.m. Monday, where the posted speed is 40 mph. The linebacker also had a passenger with him inside his car. 

The report further states that the prosecuting attorney of Boone County is charging Bush with traveling 90 mph, creating a “substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to another person. 

The linebacker was driving a 2024 Ford Mustang, and an officer turned on his lights and followed Bush for “approximately 24 seconds” before Bush came to a stop. After coming to a stop abruptly, Bush told the officer he was traveling between 80 and 90 mph. 

Bush did not see the officer following until the emergency lights were activated. Bush continued to speed even after seeing the lights, and finally, when he did stop, the linebacker told the officer, “That’s just how my car is.” 

“I f***** u*. Driving crazy,” he later added as per the probable cause statement. 

JJ Bush flipped his commitment from Arkansas to play for Mizzou. He also had various other offers from programs such as Georgia Tech and Baylor.

This incident could directly impact his future as a football player, with the latest reports emerging about what the team’s head coach has said about the four-star freshman.

What Did Missouri’s Head Coach Say About the Situation?

Eliah “Eli” Drinkwitz has been the head coach of the Missouri football program since 2020 and so far has a 46-29 record.

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Manoj Bhattacharjee

“We are disappointed in JJ’s actions,” Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said in a statement provided to the Tribune on Tuesday. “He is indefinitely suspended from the team as the legal process plays out.”

The linebacker was bonded out before the case could be filed. The bail amount for the felony fleeing charge is $4,500, and $500 for the misdemeanor charge. 

The Class D felony charge of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle in the state of Missouri carries no eligibility for probation or parole. 

That being said, standard Class D felonies do allow for such eligibility.

There is also no conditional release until the defendant serves at least one year of the sentence.

The law also states that it is punishable by up to seven years in prison or one year in county jail. There is also a fine of up to $10,000. 

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

According to Andy Yamashita of The Seattle Times, Tunuufi’s sister, Sanita, confirmed that the Huskies defender passed away in a car accident.

“Our hearts are with the Tunuufi family, his loved ones, and every brother who wore the W beside him. Forever in The Pack,” the Washington Football official handle paid their tribute.

According to Voi’s profile on GoHuskies.com, the 6-foot-1, 282-pound defensive lineman racked up 86 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble during his four seasons. His final appearance for the Huskies came in the 2024 Sun Bowl. 

Throughout his time as a collegiate player, Tunuufi played under various coaches. While he signed to play for coach Jimmy Lake, he stayed and played under two more coaches: Kalen DeBoer and Jedd Fisch.

 “It was an easy decision to choose Seattle,” Voi’s sister, Sanita Tunuufi, said. “It wasn’t because of the coaches. It wasn’t because of the staff. It was because he loved UW. He loved being in Seattle.”

Tunuufi played in 52 games, making 14 starts, which included 11 during his senior season. The defender was also a part of the magical 2023 season when the Huskies played in the Sugar Bowl and national championship game. 

He could rush from the interior in passing situations and still hold his own on the edge against the run, giving the defense flexibility wherever it needed help.

Tunuufi was getting ready to take on his next challenge in life with his high school head coach. 

Voi Tunuufi Was Set to Step Into a New Journey With High School Coach

After finishing four years in college, the defensive end participated in Washington’s Pro Day. But he was not selected for the 2025 NFL Draft or the rookie mini camp. 

Tunuufi spent last year training to enter either the Canadian Football League or the UFL (United Football League). 

In the meantime, the defender was getting ready to go and coach at Skyline High in Salt Lake City as a defensive line coach. It would have reunited Tunuufi with his former East High coach, Brandon Matich.

“He’s the best football player I ever coached,” Matich said. “And he was an even better person. Everybody loved Voi. The calls I’ve gotten from people I haven’t heard from in years have been reaching out. He was a powerful personality.”

While his dreams may have gone unfulfilled, he will be remembered for the mark he left on football and the kindness and love he gave to friends, family, and teammates.

Let us know your thoughts and memories of Tunuufi in the comments section.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

According to Maize N Brew, Donald Tabron II discussed his insightful trip to Michigan with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong, praising the Wolverines’ new head coach, Kyle Whittingham.

“What excites me most is the mentality of grit and the opportunity to develop under coach [Kyle] Whittingham and compete at a high level,” Tabron said.

Ahead of announcing his departure, Whittingham developed multiple recruits into NFL players during his 21 seasons as head coach and 32 years overall with the Utah Utes’ program.

Later on, he returned to coaching with Michigan in 2026, replacing their previous head coach, Sherrone Moore. Therefore, Tabron considers it an honor to be part of Whittingham’s team.

“My latest visit to Michigan was a great experience. Being around the staff and seeing how everything operates really stood out…. The tradition and standard of the Maize and Blue definitely make it a special place,” Tabron stated.

Tabron earned MaxPreps’ Freshman All-American Second Team honors in 2024, after completing 65.2% of his passes for 1,656 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

The following year, he nearly doubled his production, recording 2,819 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns in 2025. He led Cass Tech to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the Michigan Division-1 State Final. 

Therefore, his addition to the University of Michigan could ease up a lot for Whittingham.

The most notable single game for Tabron came during a matchup against Detroit King. He posted 340 passing yards and three touchdowns, one of which was a 99-yard touchdown pass.

However, there’s a chance he could be recruited by Ohio State, as that opportunity also excites Donald Tabron II.

Tabron’s Possibility Of Joining The Buckeyes

Quarterback Donald Tabron has received offers from multiple programs aside from Michigan, including offers from Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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Ankita Tirkey

 “What stands out about Ohio State is the level of competition and development,” Tabron said. 

“They have a proven track record of getting guys to the next level at all positions and succeeding as well,” Tabron discussed. “The energy around the program is different. It’s a place where you’re pushed every day, and that opportunity really excites me.”

Ohio State has produced the most first-round NFL Draft picks of any college football program. They have also had least one first-round pick every year since 2016.

In addition to that, the Buckeyes had 11 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, the most of any university this year.

Despite Tabron expressing his wishes to don the Maize and Blue, he hasn’t ruled out the chance to be a Buckeye given the opportunity.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

“Any potential eligibility lawsuit from Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby against the NCAA will be heard in the Lubbock District Court,” Matt Hayes wrote about how two people close to the process told USA TODAY Sports.

Time is of the essence here, as Sorsby will need an answer as the NFL supplemental draft is approaching thick and fast.

The NCAA has, in the past, carried on legal proceedings, and Sorsby is currently waiting for an answer before he can decide how to move forward with his case. 

Sorsby has hired prominent and noted lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, to represent his case. Kessler has often been described as “a thorn in the NCAA’s side” in recent years.

For this case, though, the NCAA does not allow member schools to pay for an attorney to sue the NCAA. The Texas Tech Red Raiders will not be paying for Jeffrey Kessler.

There are also other issues here for the quarterback. Goal one will be to regain his college eligibility for his final season. If he plays his final season for Texas Tech, he is set to make a reported $5 million in NIL payments. 

Sorsby is also in another litigation with his older school (Cincinnati) over buyout terms. The Cincinnati athletic department was made aware of his issues last August. The NCAA learned about it anonymously. 

While the Sorsby situation is going to take some time to sort out, what happens to the QB situation at Texas Tech? 

Texas Tech Gets Injury Update on Will Hammond

With Sorsby being investigated, the Red Raiders would hope backup quarterback Will Hammond is good to go come this fall.

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Ankita Tirkey

Hammond suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 25  against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Though not seen as a starter in his college career and would have been the back-up to Sorsby had he played. 

Hammond will enter the season as the likely starter for the Red Raiders, provided he is healthy.

Hammond’s QB coach, Jeff Christensen, gave an assuring update about the quarterback in an article from On3’s Pete Nakos.  

“Things are really, really good,” Christensen said. “Threw it really well today. The knee is getting better at a rapid pace; it’s going really well.”

For Texas Tech, the hope would be to have Hammond ready, as they cannot even add a quarterback, as there is no spring portal and the new ghost transfer portal rules.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

However, things took a turn for the worse when it became personal, with Lewan and the former CFL player Hawkins roasting each other.

“In CFL you can only have 19 Americans on each roster, so they typically only sign ‘imports’ that present a different skill set than Canadian born players…” Hawkins wrote. 

“Unfortunately for you, they could pick up a Taylor Lewan at any convenient store in Canada,” Hawkins added.

He also stated that Cameron Wake, who is a five-time Pro-Bowler as well as a two-time CFL All-Star, texted him, hinting that defeating the Tennessee Titans’ Lewan was ‘easy.’

“I had a 3 sack quarter against the Lewan-Lead Titans OL and I can promise I saw better resistance against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the CFL,” Wake texted Hawkins.

However, this strong response came following a jab from Taylor Lewan.

After Hawkins previously challenged him, Lewan fired back, saying Hawkins would’ve never won any Grey Cups if he had been on the opposing side.

“I don’t wanna disrespect the good people who play in the CFL. Hard working men go to battle for the love of the game up north but make no mistake, I would have locked your ass up on that wide ass field in my prime,” Lewan wrote.

“You wouldn’t have sniffed a grey cup if I had the opportunity to play up north,” Lewan added further.

Hawkins insinuated that the CFL would never sign an athlete with no distinction like Taylor Lewan.

However, the question remains, where did the fight actually emerge from?

Origin of the Lewan-Hawkins Feud

On May 4, former Tennessee Titans’ offensive tackle, Taylor Lewan, posted a clip of the Toronto Argonauts scoring a rouge point against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and considered it “dumb.”

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Manoj Bhattacharjee

“This is the dumbest rule I’ve ever witnessed. You missed a kick but it hit the back of the end zone so you get a point to win the game? So dumb,” Lewan wrote,

Therefore, it prompted Andrew Hawkins to intervene and instigate the matter further.

A missed field goal or punt can give the team a single point in the CFL if the opposing team fails to return the ball out of the end zone, unlike the NFL, where the possession simply changes.

Being a former Montreal Alouettes player and the two-time Grey Cup winner, Hawkins reshared Lewan’s post and gave his opinion.

“Typical NOOB, jumping on twitter to give his opinion on a game he watched for the first time ever. Bring that s*** north of the border and see what me and Saskatoonians do to you!!!” Hawkins wrote.

Lewan then made a sarcastic remark, suggesting that Hawkins’ feud with him over Canadian football is “crazy work.” Hawkins responded by saying that the CFL rules have been in place since way before the NFL, and invited him to learn about it.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

The 69-year-old former college football coach joins his son, Zach Brown, who is a baseball coach for Franklin High School.

Don Brown also joins Jacoby Brown, his grandson, who plays on the Franklin baseball team.

“As a grandfather, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Don said.

Jacoby, a high school sophomore, always wanted to play for his grandfather but feared it would not be possible once Don retired. The youngster now gets to live out his dream of being coached by his grandfather, who has traveled all over, coaching at various levels. 

Before Don Brown became a football coach, he coached for the Ivy League school, Yale University, as an interim baseball head coach. Under his leadership, Yale achieved an Ivy League title.

Don’s son Zach was never around the programs led by his father. The father and ‌son always spoke about coaching together in theory, and that came to fruition in mid-March as the spring season approached. 

“I felt like if we were ever going to give it a shot, this would be the time,” Zach said. “Nobody’s guaranteed tomorrow.”

For the Brown family, three generations are involved in that baseball dugout. Don and Zach live out their dream of coaching together, as Don Brown is now an assistant baseball coach at Franklin High School. 

Don spends most of his time on the lawn chair just outside the baseball dugout. Some of his duties include charting plays, retrieving discarded bats, and collecting baseballs that reach the backstop during warm-ups. 

“I do whatever they ask me,” Don said. “I feel great about it. I’m having some fun.” 

However, even at that age, the veteran coach is setting standards, and this is what the Franklin captain had to say about Don Brown. 

Don Brown Setting Standards at Franklin Baseball

While it is a family affair at Franklin High School. Don, Zach, and Jacoby are all part of the same baseball team. Don texts and calls regularly about Franklin’s program.

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Anshuman Aryan

“It sets a standard, higher standard, than we already have,” Franklin captain Sean Kryzak said. “You see our energy, it’s already super high. Then you have Don Brown coming here, it’s awesome.”

The former Wolverines DC is fully suited up by 11 am for Franklin’s 7 pm game. Don leads bunting drills and makes sure he arrives early so when the seniors get out of their senior project early, he can take them to batting practice. 

“It’s not like he’s not a baseball coach. He’s a throwback that could really coach anything,” Zach Brown said. “It’s fun to see him fully engaged.”

Don Brown has done it all, be it football, basketball, and baseball, and now he is living the dream with his son and grandson. 

Read more at the Michigan Football Community

“What I’d like to see him do between now and the regular season is put on a little bit of weight, be that three down player,” former Michigan player Jon Jansen said on the MGoBlue Podcast. “I know he can stop the run. He did it at Michigan, but doing it in the NFL, it’s a different animal, putting, you know, adding a little bit of weight.”

Jansen and Moore have one major thing in common. Both won national championships at Michigan, with Jansen doing it in 1997 and Moore in 2023. The former offensive tackle is now offering advice as Moore prepares for the professional level.

“Well, Dan Campbell certainly has a type. Moore is ultra-physical and persistent, and he can be counted on to hold up against both the run and pass,” wrote Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today.

According to NBC Sports, coming out of Michigan, Moore holds a 92.3 percent tackle rate and 77.1 percent run-stop. He recorded 10 sacks in his final season. So, he is someone who is known for his strength entering the NFL Draft. All he will have to take care of is his weight.

Standing tall at 6-0 and weighing 255 lbs, he is entering the league that is much more physical and demanding. Adding a little weight could help him handle bigger and stronger offensive linemen while still being effective as a pass rusher.

“One of the things we liked about him is his bull rush,” Jansen added. “You’re gonna have to have a little bit more weight in the can to be able to push some of those offensive tackles back while not losing speed.”

Thanks to his heavy hands, Moore was dominant with the bull rush. Yet, Jansen stressed once again that putting on some muscle could make his job easier against NFL linemen.

Derrick Moore’s Role Remains Unclear

Ever since the Lions drafted Moore, there has been chatter about what role he could play. General Manager Brad Holmes has said defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard could use Moore in various roles.

“Sheppard is just going to put guys in the best position to do what they do best. That’s what he showed on tape is he can set edges in the run game,” Holmes said. “He can rush outside, he can rush inside. And I’m quite sure that’s how Sheppard’s going to utilize him,” he said in a post-draft press conference.

Moore is projected to be part of a rotation at defensive end with D.J. Wonnum and Levi Onwuzurike, something Dan Campbell discussed while outlining his vision for the pass rushers in March.

What are your thoughts on Jansen’s advice for Moore? Share in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

The University of Michigan hired the Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block to investigate the athletic department and the culture set by former HC Sherrone Moore.

According to the latest numbers in an X post, the law firm has charged the university over $2 million for work done in March. In total, that number has reached over $11.5 million based on the latest disclosures released Thursday. 

One invoice was for $1.8 million, and the second was for $172,339.50, as per Sarah Atwood of The Detroit News.

Two sources with knowledge of the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the probe concluded in April.

The Michigan Wolverines fired Moore on December 10, 2025, after his executive assistant, Paige Shiver, came forward.

The investigation looked into that relationship and the broader culture in the athletic department, specifically how the relationship was allowed to continue, as well as other scandals over the years. 

“The University of Michigan makes significant investments in athletics, which is a source of pride for our U-M community, and this investigation is being resourced to help strengthen our athletics program moving forward,” Paul Corliss, assistant vice president for Public Affairs and Internal Communications, wrote in a statement to The News in February.

Sherrone Moore started as a tight ends coach and made his way to the head coaching position at Ann Arbor. In the 2023 season, he was the offensive coordinator for Jim Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to a national championship. 

“Conducting a thorough legal review of complex and high stakes issues at a college or university requires significant time,” Paul Corliss further added. “…The work involves two related but distinct efforts: a review concerning Sherrone Moore’s conduct and a broader assessment of the culture within the athletic department. The University is committed to ensuring both are handled with the seriousness, independence and care they require.”

Since then, head coach Kyle Whittingham has taken over at The Big House after two decades in Utah and will lead the Wolverines in the 2026 season. 

Why Is the Athletic Department Also Being Investigated?

While Moore was fired, his ex-staffer spoke out on national television with her interview on Good Morning America. 

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Sparsh Tiwari

The relationship lasted four years and was “encouraged” by members of the athletic department at the university. 

“(Moore) controlled everything that was going on in my life, and (the university) didn’t do anything about it,” Shiver said.

The relationship between Sherrone Moore and Paige Shiver was an “open secret,” and the leadership was well aware of it, as per Linsey Davis, the reporter for ABC who interviewed Shiver on Good Morning America. 

As things stand, the fallout may not be over yet. The ongoing investigation could lead to further action, with more individuals potentially facing consequences depending on how the findings unfold.

Read more at the Michigan Football Community