Granted, they weren’t playing Ohio State in the shoe for his debut. But he did not look like an 18 year old true freshman making his first start. He looked like a first round draft pick and easily the most talented qb I’ve seen in a Michigan uniform in… I don’t even know when.
Am I crazy? (more than usual I mean)
He had a decent game but it’s WAYYYYY too early to tell. Let’s see how he looks against the blue bloods.
Fair. I have no idea how he will process his reads against a top defense. Still, there is a reason he was the first overall recruit, and it was there to see. 6’4 230lbs with a cannon at 18. He made some NFL throws, and looked pretty damn good in a 2 minute drill
He was on target for the most part. I can only remember one pass that sailed on him a little bit. He showed an ability to work through some progressions and make good decisions with the ball. He stayed calm and poised in the pocket. And I don’t think he took off running one single time (pretty sure that was by design). It’ll be interesting to see if they open up the playbook to give him that option to run against Oklahoma or are they saving that for the B1G games.
I watched part of the game and thought he looked decent.
Made some nice throws and is a monster. The kid is HUGE.
The only question in my mind is if he levels up by end of the season or if he evolves next season. Same thought in Arch also. Can they evolve in season or do they need a season of playing to level up.
I was very impressed. Came into this game doubtful after watching highlights from the spring game and knowing the deep fascination so many have with the AR15 type that can’t play QB to save their life. Some of these throws this kid was making, I compared to the other AR, Aaron Rodgers, an absolute dead accurate rifle while on a rollout. Oh man he’s exciting.
My only question is how did he lose 4 games in high school? That’s hard to believe he didn’t go undefeated.
I was hoping it would happen, but I wasn’t 100% counting on it.
Sure enough it did happen, he was as calm yesterday as he was his first HS varsity game as a Frosh.
He’s the complete package and his poise is unbelievable
I remember the hype around Drew Henson and I was almost immediately let down. Tom Brady was better than him and everyone could see it. Not this time.
Right?? Again: against New Mexico. But there was a real shift in the vibe of the game in the second quarter, I literally texted my buddy who was working “ok Michigan has decided to collapse in the closing minutes of the first half. Now up 17-10 and about to go 3 and out with 90 seconds left.” And then Underwood rolls right and throws an across the body 40yard bullet, and proceeds to calmly march then down the field to throw a TD (the first of his career) in less than a minute. There are multiple starting NFL QBs who couldn’t make that throw.
That’s really what has me so excited. He just did not look like an 18-year-old kid. The moment was not remotely too big for him, just the opposite.
And he just turned 18 less than a month ago…
Yes agree 100%, the NFL arm was on display, but it was the positive gains of 4 yards on dump offs that he would take under duress that got me really excited. While calmly waiting for the right time right place to take the deep throw when it was open
Without derailing things, do you guys know who we have in Michigans DC?
I agree he looks pretty polished given his age but not surprising based on his pedigree and previous book of work. There is no incentive for them to have him be running against New Mexico it was a low-threat environment to sit back there and learn what a college passing offense and environment and defensive setups look like. I’m not sure we’ll see any designed runs even against Oklahoma but I bet they’ll coach him to pull a couple down after 1st read and run just to get a little experience of that.
I’m going to assume that during practice they’re throwing a lot of different looks at him just to speed up his learning curve
Venables is going to throw the kitchen sink at him. If he shows poise next week then yeah you might be looking at one of the rare Freshman QBs that plays like an upperclassmen. If not that’s not an indictment. That is just a reminder that he’s barely even 18. Kid is going to be Stafford young when he declares.
I’m going to assume they’re only going to have him for 2 years and he’ll enter the NFL like Stafford as a 20 year old and drafted high enough to where he’ll be running the ship from day one, assuming that he learns the defensive reads and the nuances of the position well enough because the physical tools are downright scary
What do SEC/OSU fans think of NIL leveling the playing field?
Glad that Moore leaned into changing the NIL approach right away, and thankful to boosters/alum’s that donate money. Really makes the $3 beers I’m drinking more enjoyable when get to watch a guy like this play for Michigan
He looks like something different. That release and velocity are unreal. He also seems to see things well and had some great touch. The openings will be narrower and close faster next week, but my first impression is that he is unlike any u of m qb in a long long time