The Michigan Wolverines are set to feature several new starters in 2025, with the quarterback position generating the most anticipation among fans. Following Davis Warren’s ACL tear in the bowl game and Alex Orji’s transfer to UNLV, the Wolverines will debut a fresh face under center for their season opener against New Mexico State.
The top contenders for the starting job are Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and five-star true freshman Bryce Underwood. Keene brings significant college football experience, while Underwood, the highest-rated quarterback recruit in Michigan history, boasts immense potential.
The competition for the role will be intense throughout the offseason, but one media outlet has expressed confidence that Underwood will take the reins immediately. According to 247Sports, which ranked the likelihood of each top-10 freshman quarterback starting in 2025, Underwood received a “high” rating.
Their reasoning?
“Michigan added Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene through the transfer portal, but Bryce Underwood represents a substantial investment for the program as the highest-rated quarterback commit in nearly two decades. With comparisons to Vince Young, Underwood, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 208 pounds, participated in bowl practices and looks like a Day 1 starter. Meanwhile, Keene’s 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in the Mountain West this season are not exactly standout numbers for a Michigan team eyeing a CFP return.”
Underwood’s NIL value has been a hot topic, and while exact figures are unconfirmed, it’s clear he’s been well-compensated to join Michigan. His decision to flip from LSU underscores the financial backing supporting his commitment, a fact he’s openly acknowledged since signing in December.
However, 247Sports might be underestimating Keene’s capabilities and NIL earnings. It’s likely both Keene and Underwood rank among Michigan’s highest-paid players in 2025, alongside Jadyn Davis. In today’s college football landscape, top quarterbacks, whether from high school or the portal, command significant NIL deals. Yet, the starting role won’t be decided by financial factors—it will go to the player that head coach Sherrone Moore and his staff believe gives the Wolverines the best chance to win, as has always been the case during the Jim Harbaugh era.
So, who do you think will emerge as Michigan’s starting quarterback? Will it be the seasoned Mikey Keene or the highly-touted Bryce Underwood? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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