Kyle Whittingham adds uber-experienced Bryce Underwood insurance policy at QB

Kyle Whittingham’s No. 1 goal in his first offseason at Michigan, aside from stabilizing a program that desperately needed new leadership, was to set Bryce Underwood up for success in his sophomore season. He’s done that by retaining Andrew Marsh and adding former five-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench, but on Sunday, Whittingham made a move to ensure that the Wolverines can have success without Underwood. 

There’s no guarantee that Underwood stays healthy next season, or any season, and with that in mind, Michigan landed a commitment from Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. The rising redshirt senior has thrown for nearly 7,000 yards over his career with two years of starting experience, but spent much of last season injured. 

Michigan adds commitment from Colorado State transfer QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi

Heading into the 2025 season, Underwood won the starting job at Michigan over Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene. Underwood, the top-ranked QB in the 2025 high school class, proved that to be the right call with 2,428 passing yards, but finished with just 11 passing touchdowns to nine interceptions. Underwood also ran for 392 yards and six touchdowns. 

After a season on the bench, Keene transferred from Michigan to Arizona State, opening the door for Fowler-Nicolosi to backup Underwood with his final season of eligibility.

Jadyn Davis was the only other Michigan quarterback to attempt a pass this season, as Underwood stayed healthy. However, with Jason Beck following Whittingham from Utah to become Michigan’s offensive coordinator, Underwood will be playing in a more up-tempo, spread system, and could be running the ball considerably more. 

At 6-foot-4, nearly 230 pounds, Underwood can handle the hits downfield, but as they accumulate, there’s also the risk of him missing time. If that happens, Fowler-Nicolosi is a former All-Mountain West honorable mention with a big arm and plenty of experience leading an offense.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Texas native may not have the dual-threat ability of Underwood, so it won’t be a one-for-one swap for Beck and the offensive staff if he replaces Underwood, but the passing game won’t be severely limited. 

Michigan still has more work to do in the transfer portal, adding more weapons for the offense, and difference-makers to go along with Utah transfer John Henry Daley on the other side of the ball. But Whittingham can sleep a bit easier knowing he has an insurance policy for his former five-star quarterback.