Michigan football offensive coordinator Jason Beck met with the media on Tuesday, giving an update on spring practices, and most importantly, the development of Bryce Underwood.
The development of Underwood, getting him to take the next step, should be the No. 1 priority for the Michigan football coaching staff. It seems like it is. Kyle Whittingham hired Beck and also secured Koy Detmer Jr. as the dedicated quarterbacks coach, something Underwood lacked last season.
For all the criticism directed at Underwood, he had a solid freshman season. Michigan won nine games, and Underwood completed 60 percent of his throws, averaged 216 total yards per game, to go along with 17 total touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The raw tools are there. Underwood needs refinement. Beck talked about his footwork and getting him more comfortable. The fundamentals need to be better. No doubt they will be.
Michigan football will use Bryce Underwood as a runner more in 2026
However, Beck also talked about how Michigan football is going to use Underwood this season. He was used as a runner sparingly last season. It was beyond frustrating, and one of the many missteps made by the previous staff in the development of Underwood.
The former five-star recruit showed how dangerous he can move with this legs, and this season, the Wolveriners plan to take full advantage of that skill set.
“Do what they do best, and so if they can run and it’s a weapon, then they’ll be fine,” Beck said via The Wolverine. “If guys aren’t good runners, then they get themselves hurt. If guys are good runners, they’re comfortable doing that and they excel at it, then you have good success. But that’s just part of playing the position.
“You do have to be smart about it. You don’t want to run your quarterback 25 times, unless you have a bye week or something to get him back. But it does seem to be a part of Bryce’s skill set, doing some of the QB run game. He pulls it down and goes, and he looks pretty impressive."
Michigan shouldn't run Underwood 20 times per game. That would be crazy. But 5-10 designed runs per game would do wonders for this offense, just like it would have last season.