Bryce Underwood just called himself the best player to ever come out of the Michigan Wolverines. PFF's list of the 50 best players in college football for 2026 came out the same week, and his name isn't on it.

"I feel like I'm the best player to ever come out of Michigan. Now it's time for me to show it," Underwood said. The bold claim came at a youth camp earlier this month. But PFF gave him a reality check.

PFF builds its rankings using player grades, advanced data, and future projections, not just traditional stats or reputation. The list is built entirely on what players have actually proven on the field, not what they're expected to become. That is exactly why Underwood did not make the cut right now.

In Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick's list of 50 best players in college football ahead of the 2026 season, Underwood was not listed, while a total of ten quarterbacks made it to the list.

Underwood finished his freshman year with 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on 60.3 percent completion. For the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, that was not enough to crack a list of 50 guys who have already shown what they can do.

The players ranked ahead of him at quarterback tell the story. Ohio State's Julian Sayin is No. 4 after completing 77 percent of his passes last season, the third-highest mark in college football history. Oregon's Dante Moore is No. 7, and Texas' Arch Manning is No. 9. These are quarterbacks who already have dominant seasons on tape.

Underwood's teammate, John Henry Daley, did make the list at No. 24, earning a 92.0 PFF grade as one of the top pass rushers in the country last season. That's what the list rewards. Proven production.

While Underwood could not make it to the list, the Michigan head coach stays confident about the quarterback.

Kyle Whittingham believes Bryce Underwood is built for a breakout year

Kyle Whittingham has been clear about what he sees in Underwood all offseason.

"His physical profile, his skillset is incredible," he said on B1G Today. "We will play to the skillset of Bryce Underwood. He is a dual threat without a doubt."

The 2026 offense is being built around him, though. Jason Beck does not force players into systems. He figures out what they do well and builds around that. Underwood also gave a hint about where his head is at this offseason.

"I'm working smarter than I was last year," he told Click On Detroit.

If Underwood delivers in 2026, that PFF list looks very different next summer. Right now, it just reflects where things actually stand.

Do you think Bryce Underwood can prove his bold claim right and crack lists like this by the end of the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar