Andrew Marsh was Michigan's leading receiver last season as a true freshman. 45 receptions, 651 receiving yards and four TDs, he knows quarterback Bryce Underwood pretty well.

Underwood received a ton of criticism this offseason. The loudest was from former NFL safety Eric Weddle, who said he would not be surprised to see Michigan's backup playing early in 2026. Marsh heard it all.

"I mean, as a receiver, you can't ask for much more," Marsh said on the In the Trenches podcast. "To be honest, he's probably the best quarterback I've ever played with."

Underwood finished the 2025 season with 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. But he also ran 88 times for 392 yards and six more scores. The criticism came loudest from people who did not watch every game.

Marsh and Underwood have been putting in work together this offseason. The two have been building their connection away from the facility, which matters for a duo that only had one year together before everything around them changed.

Marsh was clear about how he sees their relationship. Context matters here. This is not just loyalty. It is a receiver who needs his quarterback to be trusted.

"Without him, there's no receiver. Without me, there's no quarterback," Marsh said. "So I feel like at the end of the day, we're a good combo."

Two sophomores, one full season of college football behind them and a new coordinator in Jason Beck, who builds offenses around quarterbacks who can run and throw.

What Jason Beck's Arrival Means for Marsh and Underwood

Beck comes to Ann Arbor from Utah, where he spent the last season as offensive coordinator. He and Whittingham are known for building offenses around the run game first. But the dual-threat element Beck utilized at Utah sets up perfectly for what Underwood can do.

Under the previous staff, Underwood's legs were used inconsistently. Beck's system opens designed runs and plays action off those same runs.

That creates easier throws for a quarterback who is still developing as a passer, and more space for a receiver like Marsh to operate. This is why both Marsh and Underwood are really excited about the 2026 season.

Do you think Marsh and Underwood can become one of the best duos in the Big Ten in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore