Underwood, Davis quarterback battle heats up as Michigan football eyes offensive resurrection

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The quarterback battle between five-star recruit Bryce Underwood and Jadyn Davis started to heat up as both talented future stars of the Michigan Wolverines will look to resurrect the offensive side of the ball.

Davis and Underwood played in front of an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 fans during the annual Spring Game on Saturday (April 19) inside the Big House in Ann Arbor.

Underwood led the blue team to a 17-0 victory vs. Davis’s maize team, but each quarterback was playing against potentially the best defense in the country.

Underwood, who the fans came to see make his collegiate debut in the maize and blue uniform, finished the game completing 12-26 for 187 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Of those 187 passing yards, Underwood acquired 88 yards on the game’s final possession on a double flea-flicker, connecting to game MVP Jalen Hoffman, who recorded 96 yards after the catch.

Underwood hit Hoffman early and often Saturday afternoon. He caught all seven of his targets for 148 yards and the walk-off touchdown, leaving the fans in attendance salivating for more.

Underwood even displayed elusiveness as he scrambled for a 17-yard run to extend the sticks.

He would’ve had a bigger day on Saturday as he either missed guys in the back of the end zone or his receivers dropped two touchdowns, one on a slant route in the middle of the end zone, or a fade ball on the away side of the field. The ball hit the receiver in the hands, and he dropped it before the blue team scored the first of two touchdowns in the game.

Jadyn Davis

Davis, on the other hand, dealt with the same difficulties that Underwood faced, getting blitzed and feeling the heat as the defensive lineman stayed in his face.

He also threw some beautiful passes in which his receiver dropped the ball and slowed up or stopped running on the route completely.

Davis finished the day completing 6-17 for 74 yards and two interceptions, with his longest going for 25 yards to Donaven McCulley.

After the game, head coach Sherrone Moore addressed the ongoing quarterback competition between Underwood and Davis.

Fans judge Saturday’s performance between the two, as both players bring unique strengths to the field, making the decision challenging for the coaching staff.

“The competitive nature with the relationship they both have has been really cool to watch over the spring.

Competing against each other while rooting for each other at the same time has been super fun to watch. They’re great kids, great character kids, and it’s a battle that’s going to go all the way into fall camp.”

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore

Underwood got the upper hand in this battle, but the competition isn’t over by far.

Don’t forget about transfer Mikey Keene, who is injured. Look for him to also reenter the battle; he is the bunch’s veteran.

But it’s hard not to play with your new high-priced toy fresh out of the pack, which is going to be a tough decision for Moore and his staff.

The fans will want to experience the growing pains of the freshman quarterback.

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

The winning team of the Spring Game always receives an achievement or some sort of reward, and the blue team will travel to Texas de Brazil on Monday, April 21, 2025.