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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Bryce Underwood hype train shows no signs of slowing down or stopping, especially with Michigan football in spring ball. But it's not just the offensive players that are buying in.
As the Wolverines continue to practice and the former five-star and No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class continues to get acclimated, he's going to improve and look better and better. And Michigan defensive players are starting to get a bit of a taste of Underwood's talent.
Take fifth-year defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, who's responsible for rushing Underwood up the middle. Even he, as focused as he is on his job, can't marvel at what Underwood has been able to do in such a short period of time.
"He's made some crazy throws. You look at him and it's just like, wow. His frame is crazy, so that's enough in itself, but he's going to be good," Benny said. "He threw one in the back of the end zone. It was a jump ball. It was just perfect placement, and the wide receiver went up to go get it. It was a good throw. Gave a lot of hope. Bright things."
Of course, Benny's job is one thing, but senior cornerback Zeke Berry is on the other end, trying to defend Underwood's passes. And it's not an easy thing to do, he says.
Berry echoed Benny's sentiments, noting that Underwood's talent is undeniable and that the sky is the limit for the offensive side of the ball when he's under center.
"I feel the same way he does," Berry said. "We haven't had a quarterback like that in a while. I'll probably say since J.J. And I feel like having him out there and seeing what he can do, he's going to change this offense for us."
Earlier in the week, we heard a bit about Underwood's legs and how they can pose a problem. Edge rusher Derrick Moore said that the entire defense has to account for him -- a notion echoed by Benny.
But it's not just that Underwood can move, but he can be elusive, to boot. Coupled with his arm talent and accuracy, it appears as if he's the whole package.
"He's fast. I was about to say, he got out on the edge, and then he was a little faster than I thought," Benny said. "I found out, but nah. It's just different, just because it had a different thing to look out for outside of just a throwing quarterback. He can run around if he needs to, make plays happen, extend plays. That's what it adds. It just changed our rush.
"But it's good for us to see, because we're going to play those type of quarterbacks throughout the season."
"I can see why he's rated like how high he is," Berry added. "I mean, that guy is a worker, a competitor -- a great quarterback. He's going to do a lot of great things for this university."
Fans will get an opportunity to see Underwood in action on April 19 at the annual spring game at the Big House. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network eight days later on April 27.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football defense wowed by Bryce Underwood in practice
Continue reading...
As the Wolverines continue to practice and the former five-star and No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class continues to get acclimated, he's going to improve and look better and better. And Michigan defensive players are starting to get a bit of a taste of Underwood's talent.
Take fifth-year defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, who's responsible for rushing Underwood up the middle. Even he, as focused as he is on his job, can't marvel at what Underwood has been able to do in such a short period of time.
"He's made some crazy throws. You look at him and it's just like, wow. His frame is crazy, so that's enough in itself, but he's going to be good," Benny said. "He threw one in the back of the end zone. It was a jump ball. It was just perfect placement, and the wide receiver went up to go get it. It was a good throw. Gave a lot of hope. Bright things."
Of course, Benny's job is one thing, but senior cornerback Zeke Berry is on the other end, trying to defend Underwood's passes. And it's not an easy thing to do, he says.
Berry echoed Benny's sentiments, noting that Underwood's talent is undeniable and that the sky is the limit for the offensive side of the ball when he's under center.
"I feel the same way he does," Berry said. "We haven't had a quarterback like that in a while. I'll probably say since J.J. And I feel like having him out there and seeing what he can do, he's going to change this offense for us."
Earlier in the week, we heard a bit about Underwood's legs and how they can pose a problem. Edge rusher Derrick Moore said that the entire defense has to account for him -- a notion echoed by Benny.
But it's not just that Underwood can move, but he can be elusive, to boot. Coupled with his arm talent and accuracy, it appears as if he's the whole package.
"He's fast. I was about to say, he got out on the edge, and then he was a little faster than I thought," Benny said. "I found out, but nah. It's just different, just because it had a different thing to look out for outside of just a throwing quarterback. He can run around if he needs to, make plays happen, extend plays. That's what it adds. It just changed our rush.
"But it's good for us to see, because we're going to play those type of quarterbacks throughout the season."
"I can see why he's rated like how high he is," Berry added. "I mean, that guy is a worker, a competitor -- a great quarterback. He's going to do a lot of great things for this university."
Fans will get an opportunity to see Underwood in action on April 19 at the annual spring game at the Big House. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network eight days later on April 27.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football defense wowed by Bryce Underwood in practice
Continue reading...
