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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It will be something of a new-look Michigan football team next year, in large part due to the changing offense. Not only did the Wolverines bring in new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, but the fortune for the team in the future changed with the addition of No. 1 overall recruit in 2025 in quarterback Bryce Underwood.
On Friday, multiple now-former Wolverines took place in the local pro day and got a chance to discuss the future of the program. Though only one of the players that were surveyed had any overlap with Underwood (cornerback Aamir Hall was still with the program for the ReliaQuest Bowl, where the early enrollee freshman quarterback partook in preparation), many of the outgoing players had thoughts about what the former five-star brings to the table.
As a Detroit guy, having played his high school ball at Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South, Will Johnson knows a little something about what it's like to put on for the hometown team. Thus, when it comes to Underwood staying home, he's glad that he opted for a winged helmet over heading south.
"Yeah, it meant a lot. I mean, that's great," Johnson said. "Same reason I came here, come here and leave that legacy of being a Michigan guy, and staying home and winning here. So I think he has a special role on this team, and he'll do a lot of great things here."
Johnson wasn't around for bowl prep, but has gotten a chance to see Underwood throw. He's pretty confident that he'll live up to the expectations when No. 19 is called upon.
"He looks good, looks real good," Johnson said. "Everything, everything looks good. That's the prototypical quarterback, that's what you want right there. So it'll be great."
Underwood walked past Graham's pro day interview and excitedly greeted the outgoing defensive tackle. Graham was asked about it and though he isn't as familiar with his game, Underwood has made a strong impression.
"Yeah, I've talked to him a little bit, but I've been working out," Graham said. "They've had practice and stuff, but I met him. He's cool. Should be good. I heard all good things."
Hall shared bowl prep with Underwood and though there wasn't likely much overlap given that Hall was preparing to face Alabama with the ones on defense, he did get an opportunity to see what the incoming quarterback can do.
"I think he's a very good talent, probably one of the best that Michigan has seen in a while," Hall said. "I feel like that will develop him over the years. I know that they're very excited for what he can do for this program, so I wish him the best of luck. I feel like the future is bright here with having him over the next couple of years to lead the offense."
But why would Hall believe that Underwood could be one of the best quarterbacks ever? Granted, Hall didn't overlap with J.J. McCarthy, but he says that he can see that je ne sais quois that Underwood possesses.
"I feel like he's a very humble guy," Hall said. "He attacks every day, just from me being around, just hearing about him. He wasn't there for long while I was here, but just hearing about him, seeing how he goes about his work, I think that he has the right mindset to be one of the greats in my opinion. So it's very exciting for him."
Stewart hasn't gotten the chance to get acquainted with Underwood but he has seen him around the facilities. And he notes Underwood's physical prowess as well as his obvious talent.
"Nah, (I haven't met him) yet, but y'all are in good hands, for sure. I'll tell you that," Stewart said. "Y'all are in good hands. Looks the part. A lot of guys say, yeah, he's 6-5, but no, he's actually 6-5. Has a great zip on the ball. He's young and athletic, so y'all are in good hands."
With that in mind, Stewart is glad that he isn't tasked with trying to get Underwood on the ground as a pass rusher.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm good," Stewart said. "He's a big quarterback. I'll leave that to the other Big Ten teams."
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Departing Michigan football players rave about QB Bryce Underwood
Continue reading...
On Friday, multiple now-former Wolverines took place in the local pro day and got a chance to discuss the future of the program. Though only one of the players that were surveyed had any overlap with Underwood (cornerback Aamir Hall was still with the program for the ReliaQuest Bowl, where the early enrollee freshman quarterback partook in preparation), many of the outgoing players had thoughts about what the former five-star brings to the table.
CB Will Johnson
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As a Detroit guy, having played his high school ball at Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South, Will Johnson knows a little something about what it's like to put on for the hometown team. Thus, when it comes to Underwood staying home, he's glad that he opted for a winged helmet over heading south.
"Yeah, it meant a lot. I mean, that's great," Johnson said. "Same reason I came here, come here and leave that legacy of being a Michigan guy, and staying home and winning here. So I think he has a special role on this team, and he'll do a lot of great things here."
Johnson wasn't around for bowl prep, but has gotten a chance to see Underwood throw. He's pretty confident that he'll live up to the expectations when No. 19 is called upon.
"He looks good, looks real good," Johnson said. "Everything, everything looks good. That's the prototypical quarterback, that's what you want right there. So it'll be great."
DT Mason Graham
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Underwood walked past Graham's pro day interview and excitedly greeted the outgoing defensive tackle. Graham was asked about it and though he isn't as familiar with his game, Underwood has made a strong impression.
"Yeah, I've talked to him a little bit, but I've been working out," Graham said. "They've had practice and stuff, but I met him. He's cool. Should be good. I heard all good things."
CB Aamir Hall
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Hall shared bowl prep with Underwood and though there wasn't likely much overlap given that Hall was preparing to face Alabama with the ones on defense, he did get an opportunity to see what the incoming quarterback can do.
"I think he's a very good talent, probably one of the best that Michigan has seen in a while," Hall said. "I feel like that will develop him over the years. I know that they're very excited for what he can do for this program, so I wish him the best of luck. I feel like the future is bright here with having him over the next couple of years to lead the offense."
But why would Hall believe that Underwood could be one of the best quarterbacks ever? Granted, Hall didn't overlap with J.J. McCarthy, but he says that he can see that je ne sais quois that Underwood possesses.
"I feel like he's a very humble guy," Hall said. "He attacks every day, just from me being around, just hearing about him. He wasn't there for long while I was here, but just hearing about him, seeing how he goes about his work, I think that he has the right mindset to be one of the greats in my opinion. So it's very exciting for him."
EDGE Josaiah Stewart
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Stewart hasn't gotten the chance to get acquainted with Underwood but he has seen him around the facilities. And he notes Underwood's physical prowess as well as his obvious talent.
"Nah, (I haven't met him) yet, but y'all are in good hands, for sure. I'll tell you that," Stewart said. "Y'all are in good hands. Looks the part. A lot of guys say, yeah, he's 6-5, but no, he's actually 6-5. Has a great zip on the ball. He's young and athletic, so y'all are in good hands."
With that in mind, Stewart is glad that he isn't tasked with trying to get Underwood on the ground as a pass rusher.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm good," Stewart said. "He's a big quarterback. I'll leave that to the other Big Ten teams."
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Departing Michigan football players rave about QB Bryce Underwood
Continue reading...
