Michigan football has had a No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft before, but according to Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN NFL draft analyst, the Wolverines will have another in the next few years.
“Underwood, I’ll say it now,” Mel Kiper said. “I said it about Stafford. If Underwood’s not the No. 1 pick in the draft somewhere down the road, something is wrong. This kid looks like he could be the real deal…Bryce Underwood at Michigan.”
Kiper said this on a podcast with Joey Galloway earlier this week following the Wolverines 30-27 win at Nebraska. Underwood only threw for 105 yards in the game. For the season, he's averaging 183, to go along with 40 rushing yards per game on the ground.
Underwood is completing 56.9 percent of his passes so far this season. Most impressively, he has just one interception compared to two touchdown passes and two touchdown runs. Joey Galloway, who was on the podcast with Kiper, agreed with the assessment, saying Bryce Underwood was already at a higher level than Arch Manning.
Bryce Underwood compared to Arch Manning
“Now they have Bryce Underwood, who — let me say this. When I watch him play, he is better than Arch Manning right now. We’ve had a thousand conversations… His timing. Now, that doesn’t mean, because I know people are going to look at that and say, ‘Well, he only threw for 105 yards.’ I’m looking at talent. I’m looking at skill,” Galloway said.
Underwood has as much talent and skill as any quarterback in Michigan football history. After the bye week, my hope is that the Wolverines unleash the freshman quarterback even more. He didn't have to throw much against Nebraska, but soon enough, Underwood will start winning games for Michigan football with his arm, and his legs.