Kyle Whittingham Praises Bryce Underwood Despite Citrus Bowl Loss
The Michigan Wolverines’ season came to a close with a 41-27 defeat to the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Wednesday evening. Under interim head coach Biff Poggi, Michigan fought valiantly until the fourth quarter before ultimately succumbing to the Longhorns. The game represented the final chapter in what has been a transitional season for Michigan, with freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood showing flashes of both brilliance and the growing pains typical of a young signal-caller. Underwood finished with 199 passing yards and three total touchdowns, though his performance was marred by three interceptions. His dual-threat capabilities were on full display as he added 86 rushing yards on 12 carries, demonstrating why he remains central to Michigan’s future plans despite the bowl game loss.
Perhaps the most significant development of the evening came not on the field but in the broadcast booth, where incoming Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham made an appearance to discuss his vision for the program. Whittingham, who brings 21 seasons of head coaching experience from Utah, offered effusive praise for his young quarterback. “Terrific kid. Carries himself the right way, carries himself how you’d want a quarterback to carry himself, has that it factor,” Whittingham remarked during the broadcast. “Great parents, great family. He’s the right man to lead this football team.” These comments represent a strong vote of confidence from the incoming coach, suggesting Whittingham views Underwood as the cornerstone around which he plans to build Michigan’s future.
While the transfer portal opens Friday and speculation naturally swirls around a talented quarterback like Underwood, sources close to the program indicate he’s likely to remain in Ann Arbor. This stability seems even more probable following Whittingham’s meeting with Underwood and his family. The situation presents the freshman with an enviable position—a guaranteed starting role at one of college football’s most storied programs under a coach with a proven track record of success. Whittingham’s resume speaks for itself; his 177-88 record at Utah demonstrates his ability to build consistent winners, suggesting Michigan’s program is in capable hands moving forward despite the disappointing bowl result.
Underwood’s freshman season statistics tell the story of a young quarterback with immense potential who is still developing. Entering the bowl game, he had completed 61.1% of his passes for 2,229 yards with nine touchdowns against six interceptions. His dual-threat capabilities added another dimension to Michigan’s offense, contributing 323 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. While these numbers may not leap off the page, they must be viewed in context—Michigan’s offense has struggled to consistently push the ball downfield for several seasons now, suggesting the issues extend beyond quarterback play alone. Underwood’s development will likely be a central focus for Whittingham as he implements his offensive philosophy in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines’ performance in the Citrus Bowl reflected their season as a whole—moments of promise interspersed with inconsistency. Despite keeping pace with Texas deep into the fourth quarter, Michigan ultimately couldn’t overcome crucial mistakes down the stretch. The game showcased both the team’s resilience and the areas requiring improvement as they transition to the Whittingham era. For Underwood personally, the bowl game experience, despite the outcome, provides valuable high-pressure snaps against elite competition that should accelerate his development heading into his sophomore campaign. His ability to generate offense with both his arm and legs even against a talented Texas defense offers a glimpse of his ceiling as a collegiate quarterback.
As Michigan turns the page to the Whittingham era, the program finds itself at an interesting crossroads. The departure of previous head coach Jim Harbaugh left massive shoes to fill, but in Whittingham, the Wolverines have secured a proven leader with decades of success at the Power Five level. His immediate embrace of Underwood suggests continuity at the sport’s most important position, potentially smoothing the transition between coaching regimes. While the Citrus Bowl loss stings in the immediate aftermath, the long-term outlook for Michigan football remains bright with an established coach and promising young quarterback set to lead the program forward. As spring practices eventually approach, all eyes will be on how Whittingham adapts his coaching philosophy to Michigan’s personnel and whether Underwood can take the anticipated sophomore leap under new leadership.
