Since earning the starting role last season, there has never been a question as to whether Bryce Underwood would keep that role going forward. His backup, however, is an entirely different story. After a battle throughout all of fall camp, new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham has answered the biggest question surrounding the quarterback position: who will back up Underwood?
The backup quarterback battle really heated up in fall camp after Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi finally arrived on campus. In spring ball, it was just freshman Tommy Carr, who impressed a lot and took control, even with the knowledge of Fowler-Nicolosi's transfer. However, the Colorado State transfer made things close in fall camp, but Whittingham finally has his answer on who will be QB2 for the Wolverines.
As reported by 247Sports Michigan Insider, Alejandro Zuniga, Whittingham has named Carr as the QB2 to start the 2026 season, giving him the job over Fowler-Nicolosi.
Michigan true freshman Tommy Carr is QB2 for the Wolverines heading into the 2026 season, per Kyle Whittingham.
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) August 31, 2026
Tommy Carr wins a tight Michigan QB2 race over Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi
In spring ball, Tommy Carr stole the show, with some believing he even performed better than starter Bryce Underwood. Obviously, Underwood isn't gonna be benched, barring a complete breakdown in his play this season, but Carr's performance generated some buzz around his future with the Wolverines.
When fall camp began and Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was added to the mix, Carr's hold on the QB2 spot was slowly loosening. Fowler-Nicolosi's experience showed, and the battle between the two QBs got a lot tighter, at times described as neck-and-neck.
With Whittingham's announcement of Carr winning the job, it has a feel that this battle may not be fully over. Right now, Carr is the go-to guy if Underwood goes down or the Wolverines have a big enough lead to take out starters, but he needs to continue performing well to keep the job.
It is expected that Michigan will beat Western Michigan handily in Week 1, and Carr will most likely be the one finishing out the game as long as the Wolverines have a big enough lead. However, Whittingham could choose to see both guys on the field in game action, helping solidify his decision.
The decision to make Carr QB2 makes sense, especially when it comes to trying to keep him out of the transfer portal in the offseason. Underwood will be the starter this season and next before most likely heading to the NFL. So, Carr is the future for Michigan, and giving him the best road of development as the QB2 over Fowler-Nicoloso, who will probably only be in Ann Arbor for this season, makes the most sense.
Whittingham is setting Michigan up for its future with the decision to make Carr the QB2, and it's a smart one, proving even more why he is the perfect fit for the Wolverines.
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