TAMPA − There were no 70-yard deep throws or broken tackles, no live plays or contact during the media viewing portion of Michigan football's ReliaQuest Bowl game practice Thursday morning. But one thing was clear even in limited time: Bryce Underwood's got size and he can spin it.The No. 1 recruit in the nation in the Class of 2025 and early enrollee at U-M joined the Wolverines for their first practice at Jesuit High School as the Wolverines (7-5) prepare for their final contest of the year against Alabama (9-3) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Years Eve at Raymond James Stadium.According to coaches and teammates alike, he's already assimilating into the environment."Biggest thing I would say about him is great spirit, great energy," interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula said of U-M's newest QB. "He's great. Great personality, funny. ... He walks by my office in the morning, one of the first guys in the building. He's been awesome."Underwood, who stands every bit the 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds he's listed at, strolled onto the adjacent practice field next to Jesuit's Alumni Field and after running by Drew Henson − a Tampa resident who also was a top-rated QB entering U-M in the late 1990s − got to work in rotation with the quarterbacks.The dual-threat quarterback participated in all the individual drills with the rest of the room, which included starter Davis Warren, Alex Orji (who has already entered the transfer portal), true freshman Jadyn Davis (side note, his throwing motion looks night and day different from this time last year, in a good way) and senior walk-on Anthony Arnou.Underwood took his turn in walk-thrus navigating around blue dummies − coaches would push left and right as he'd try to avoid them with his footwork while keeping his eyes up-field − before he'd hit receivers on short and intermediate throws.The nation's most coveted passer, who doesn't turn 18 until next August, looked completely at ease when it was his turn in line, even visibly laughing just moments before he took one snap, executed his three step drop, moved up in the pocket and ripped a dart to a "receiver" over the middle who told him 'good ball one-nine'."I think I saw (Davis Warren) say it − you would never know (he's the No. 1 recruit)," Casula said. "He fits in with all of our other mid-years in the best way possible. I mean that as a complement. He's been awesome."It's not just the coaches who are heaping praise on the newest Wolverine, but those in his room.Warren, who came to Ann Arbor with an entirely different set of circumstances as a walk-on having just survived a battle with Leukemia, is now both the vocal and physical leader in the room and Thursday he spoke of the early steps he's already seen Underwood take."He's been great, wants to learn, wants to get better," Warren said. "Obviously, the college game is different. You've got to adjust, lot of things you've got to do differently. I learned that coming in, me and J.J. (McCarthy) kind of worked through a lot of those things together."I know Bryce is going to have to do the same, but he's come in with the right mindset, right mentality. He's excited to be here every day and a passion to get better at football."DONE IN AA:Michigan football DT Kenneth Grant declares for 2025 NFL draftTony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia

TAMPA − There were no 70-yard deep throws or broken tackles, no live plays or contact during the media viewing portion of Michigan football’s ReliaQuest Bowl game practice Thursday morning. But one thing was clear even in limited time: Bryce Underwood’s got size and he can spin it. The No. 1 recruit in the nation […]

TAMPA − There were no 70-yard deep throws or broken tackles, no live plays or contact during the media viewing portion of Michigan football’s ReliaQuest Bowl game practice Thursday morning. But one thing was clear even in limited time: Bryce Underwood’s got size and he can spin it.

The No. 1 recruit in the nation in the Class of 2025 and early enrollee at U-M joined the Wolverines for their first practice at Jesuit High School as the Wolverines (7-5) prepare for their final contest of the year against Alabama (9-3) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Years Eve at Raymond James Stadium.Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia“Biggest thing I would say about him is great spirit, great energy,” interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula said of U-M’s newest QB. “He’s great. Great personality, funny. … He walks by my office in the morning, one of the first guys in the building. He’s been awesome.”Underwood, who stands every bit the 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds he’s listed at, strolled onto the adjacent practice field next to Jesuit’s Alumni Field and after running by Drew Henson − a Tampa resident who also was a top-rated QB entering U-M in the late 1990s − got to work in rotation with the quarterbacks.The dual-threat quarterback participated in all the individual drills with the rest of the room, which included starter Davis Warren, Alex Orji (who has already entered the transfer portal), true freshman Jadyn Davis (side note, his throwing motion looks night and day different from this time last year, in a good way) and senior walk-on Anthony Arnou.Underwood took his turn in walk-thrus navigating around blue dummies − coaches would push left and right as he’d try to avoid them with his footwork while keeping his eyes up-field − before he’d hit receivers on short and intermediate throws.The nation’s most coveted passer, who doesn’t turn 18 until next August, looked completely at ease when it was his turn in line, even visibly laughing just moments before he took one snap, executed his three step drop, moved up in the pocket and ripped a dart to a “receiver” over the middle who told him ‘good ball one-nine’.”I think I saw (Davis Warren) say it − you would never know (he’s the No. 1 recruit),” Casula said. “He fits in with all of our other mid-years in the best way possible. I mean that as a complement. He’s been awesome.”It’s not just the coaches who are heaping praise on the newest Wolverine, but those in his room.Warren, who came to Ann Arbor with an entirely different set of circumstances as a walk-on having just survived a battle with Leukemia, is now both the vocal and physical leader in the room and Thursday he spoke of the early steps he’s already seen Underwood take.”He’s been great, wants to learn, wants to get better,” Warren said. “Obviously, the college game is different. You’ve got to adjust, lot of things you’ve got to do differently. I learned that coming in, me and J.J. (McCarthy) kind of worked through a lot of those things together.”I know Bryce is going to have to do the same, but he’s come in with the right mindset, right mentality. He’s excited to be here every day and a passion to get better at football.”DONE IN AA:Michigan football DT Kenneth Grant declares for 2025 NFL draft

According to coaches and teammates alike, he’s already assimilating into the environment.