Quarterback Bryce Underwood's freshman season at Michigan left plenty of room for improvement, but Urban Meyer believes the blame belongs with former head coach Sherrone Moore rather than the former five-star quarterback.

In a recent episode of The Triple Option podcast, Meyer blamed former Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore for Underwood's early struggles. He said the coaching staff failed to put the young quarterback in the best position to succeed.

"There are some concerns (about Underwood's development), but there's also, if God said 'I'm going to make me a quarterback,' it's going to look a lot like Bryce Underwood," Meyer said.

Former legendary coach argued that Moore's approach hindered Underwood's development during his freshman season. He also questioned Michigan's decision not to have a full-time quarterbacks coach dedicated to Underwood's development.

"You're going to invest millions of dollars into a quarterback and then not have a full-time guy (responsible for developing him)," Meyer said in a podcast (YouTube @3xOptionShow). "Quarterback coaches, with young quarterbacks, I mean, they're actually joined together. It's nonstop training at that position – nonstop! And you thrust a young kid into that environment."

Meyer believes those concerns should ease under new head coach Kyle Whittingham and Michigan's revamped coaching staff.

Underwood started all 13 games as a true freshman in 2025, throwing for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also completed over 60% of his passes.

He also added 392 rushing yards and six touchdowns, giving flashes of the athletic ability that made him the nation's No. 1 recruit.

Michigan has since taken steps to address the concerns Meyer raised.

Bryce Underwood embracing expectations for sophomore season

New head coach Kyle Whittingham brought offensive coordinator Jason Beck and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. with him from Utah, giving Underwood a dedicated position coach heading into 2026.

While questions remain about his development, Underwood has made it clear he isn't backing away from expectations.

Speaking with Brandon Carr of All About Ann Arbor during his youth football camp in June, the sophomore quarterback explained what is driving him this season.

"I want to prove to myself that I am what I think I am," Underwood said.

When asked what he meant, the former five-star recruit didn't hesitate.

"I feel like I'm the best player ever to come out of Michigan, now it's time for me to show it," said Underwood. "Because I worked for it."

Expectations have followed Underwood since he signed with Michigan as the top-ranked recruit in the country. 

Underwood enters his sophomore season with renewed expectations and a revamped coaching staff, allowing him to show whether the developmental changes Meyer called for can translate into results on the field.

What are your thoughts on Urban Meyer's comments on Moore? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Rudra Dubey