You wouldn't expect any of Bryce Underwood's Michigan football teammates to say bad things about him, however, that doesn't mean the glowing praise they have heaped on him in recent days isn't true.
The 18-year-old, five-star freshman quarterback, was officially named the Wolverines' starting quarterback earlier this week by head coach Sherrone Moore.
Underwood hasn't been shy about his expectations. He's talked about winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Michigan to a national championship. Recently, he said people haven't seen a freshman like him.
I'm glad he's not afraid to talk the talk. He just needs to walk the walk. If you listen to some of his teammates, though, it feels like he can. Not only have they talked glowingly about his physical abilities, both as a runner and as a passer, but the positive words don't stop there.
Michigan football players praise Bryce Underwood
"Physically, he can do everything," Greg Crippen said via the Michigan football program's official X account. "But as a quarterback, you also need to be able to orchestrate the offense and have a sense of calmness about you."
Crippen said Underwood is "humble" but also "anxious to learn."
"Whenever I have had some sort of issue, whether it was the snap count, or whatever, and I tell him like, 'Hey this is how you should do it.' And he fixes it," Crippen said.
Max Bredeson, one of the Michigan football team captains, who roomed with Underwood during fall camp, echoed those sentiments.
"The arm talent, that's awesome, and the way he moves," Bredeson said. "But I'd say the way he can interact with players on the field. That's really special. That's typical of a third or fourth-year guy who can do that. He's been able to talk to guys like that right away."
Underwood sounds like a future Michigan football captain. Even Jake Butt, the Michigan great, said in terms of talent, Underwood is much better than even J.J. McCarthy.
Underwood has all the talent in the world, but it sounds like, from talking to his teammates, he's got the intangibles, too.