Million Dollar Man: Bryce Underwood steps into spotlight in Michigan football’s annual Spring Game

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It’s WrestleMania season for the WWE. Although professional wrestler Ted DiBiase wasn’t in attendance, Ann Arbor’s version of the Million Dollar Man, Bryce Underwood, made his first appearance for the Michigan Wolverines during the annual Spring Game.

Underwood, a standout five-star recruit, took the field with high expectations. Fans were eager to see how the phenom would perform in front of a crowd, and the pomp and circumstance will be felt more during the wrestling matches over two nights, as the first half was very vanilla.

The Wolverines’ first public Spring Game was held at Ferry Field on May 14, 1925.

But Saturday’s (April 19) game was the most anticipated scrimmage in the 100 years of its existence as the five-star quarterback took his first snaps in front of a live crowd for the Wolverines football team.

After the game, it was reported that between 40,000 and 45,000 fans packed the Big House.

The Belleville native will look to lead Team 146 into new heights as the Wolverines finished last season at 8-5, as their passing game was ranked near Army and Navy.

Their running game led them to an upset victory against Ohio State inside the Horseshoe in Columbus and a win against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where Michigan fans got a glimpse of Underwood, who practiced with the team.

--> Late-game stop leads Michigan football to upset victory over Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl

On his first possession of his college career, Underwood took a sack in the shotgun position before completing a screen pass to receiver Channing Goodwin to end his first drive as a Wolverines quarterback.

His second drive went exactly like his first as he didn’t complete a pass, but he did get his first penalty of his college career, drawing a delay of game before missing on a deep pass down the home sideline, leading to a punt.

After establishing the run game, Underwood drew another delay of game before hitting Goodwin on back-to-back passes to move the chains down to the maize 20-yard line.

He’s been hitting Goodwin early and often before moving the ball to the six-yard line after a catch and run by Jalen Hoffman.

He’s been hitting Goodwin early and often before moving the ball to the six-yard line after a catch and run by Jalen Hoffman.

Underwood looked for Goodwin on third down and 10 inside the red zone, but the pass sailed out of the end zone, leading to a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Underwood has found his two favorite targets as he connected with Hoffman at the two-minute timeout to move the sticks.

Underwood, through four possessions, had 52 yards passing before throwing his first interception, knocking cornerback Tevis Metcalf down to the four-yard line on third and 18 with 1:30 to play before halftime.

2nd half

Underwood hit Hoffman to extend the drive of the blue team before running back Micah Ka’apana scored the first touchdown of the game as the blue team went up 10-0.

Underwood should’ve had two touchdowns, but the receivers dropped the ball in the end zone.

The first came on a slant route across the middle of the end zone, which was ripped away from the receiver while falling to the ground.

His second touchdown attempt should’ve came on fade route to a receiver on the away side endzone that was dropped as well.

He went back to Goodwin, who was running open down the field, but ended in an overthrow out of the back of the endzone.

Underwood got back on track in the fourth quarter after showing his scrambling skills, gaining 17 yards on the ground for a first down.

But the drive stalled on the 33-yard line, leading to a missed field goal.

The game ended in a walk-off double flea flicker as Underwood hit Hoffman for an 88-yard catch and run for his first career touchdown.

Underwood finished the day with 187 yards passing and one touchdown to the amazement of the Michigan fans.