Michigan benches quarterback Bryce Underwood, names freshman Tommy Carr starter
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The gist
Michigan benched quarterback Bryce Underwood at halftime against Penn State and will start freshman Tommy Carr against Indiana.
Underwood's reported multimillion-dollar NIL deal makes the switch a costly quarterback question.
Background
Bryce Underwood is Michigan's quarterback and was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, flipping from LSU to Michigan before the 2025 season. Michigan invested heavily to land him, with his NIL (name, image and likeness) package reported at $10 million or more over four years. In his second year he has completed 58.1 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and six interceptions as Michigan sits at 4-2, and calls for a quarterback change had grown louder among the fanbase. Coach Kyle Whittingham, in his first season, pulled Underwood at halftime of the Penn State game and turned to true freshman Tommy Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
How it unfolded
- 2025 seasonUnderwood, the former No. 1 recruit, flipped from LSU to Michigan; his NIL package was reported at $10 million or more over four years, with billionaire Larry Ellison helping fund it.
- Oct 17, 2026Michigan benched Underwood at halftime against Penn State after two interceptions; he was 5 of 11 for 43 yards as Michigan trailed 3-0.
- Oct 17, 2026Tommy Carr came in and led a late touchdown drive; Michigan won 21-18, snapping a two-game losing streak and avoiding an 0-3 Big Ten start.
- Oct 18, 2026Whittingham declined to name a starter, saying he would have a better answer Monday and did not want to tip his hand to Indiana.
- Oct 20, 2026ON3 reported Tommy Carr will start against Indiana, with Underwood as the backup; it will be Carr's first career NCAA start.
- Oct 24, 2026USA Today reported Underwood lost his starting job after being pulled at halftime of the Penn State game.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Whittingham said the halftime change was meant to create a spark, that Carr did just that, and that the decision came from the offensive staff and he supported it.
- Analysts
- ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said a gamble like trusting freshman Tommy Carr could get a coach fired and questioned whether NIL money and wealthy boosters are complicating coaching decisions.
- Public
- Calls for a quarterback change within the Michigan fanbase had grown louder in recent weeks amid the team's struggles.
Still unverified
Underwood's NIL package was reported to be worth at least $10 million over four years and possibly as much as $12.5 million. CBS Sports said it will be fascinating to see Underwood's transfer portal value 'assuming he does as expected and seeks a new opportunity this offseason.'