Former five-star recruit Bryce Underwood drew a lot of hype when he joined the Michigan Wolverines in the class of 2025. In his freshman season, he threw for 2,428 yards and 11 TDs while helping the team finish 9-4 (7-2 in the Big Ten).

However, Underwood has struggled this year. During Michigan’s 21-18 victory over Penn State, he was benched for Tommy Carr after throwing two INTs in the first half. The quarterback has not played since then. On Friday, “Woodward Sports” shared a video of Michigan Wolverines legend Denard Robinson giving advice to Underwood on returning to the lineup.

“Once you start believing your hype, you start not being able to see yourself in real life,” Robinson said. “But for him, I think, he has to understand to sit down and be obsessed with the game. You already got the fame.

“Now be obsessed with the game and attack it. So, like, whatever he needs to work on, whatever he needs to make the game slow down for him, he needs to understand that and do that. … If he learns how to watch the film and things like that, that can help him out. … I think those are the things that Michigan has got to figure out to do with him.”

Denard Robinson primarily played quarterback during his stint with Michigan. However, he also split time as a running back and wide receiver. From 2009 to 2012, he posted 6,250 passing yards and 49 TDs as a quarterback. Robinson also recorded 4,495 rushing yards and 42 TDs.

During the 2010 season, Denard Robinson was honored with several accolades. This included the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Most Valuable Player of the Year and First-Team All-American. The Jacksonville Jaguars then drafted him with the No. 135 pick in 2013.

Last week, the Michigan Wolverines improved to 5-3 with a 28-21 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Tommy Carr has started two out of the four games he’s played this season and thrown for 503 yards and two TDs while rushing for 114 yards and three TDs.

Michigan QB coach discusses Bryce Underwood’s 2026 struggles

Koy Detmer Jr. took over as Michigan’s quarterback coach this year and has spent time working with Bryce Underwood.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Detmer discussed Underwood’s struggles.

“We’ve been proud of Bryce and how he’s handled the situation,” Detmer said. “There are very few — not a lot of people — who can say, ‘Hey man, I understand what you’re feeling,’ because it’s a very tough situation that he’s been in.

“But he’s handled it exceptionally, being a captain and being a leader on our team. … I feel and wish I could have done more. I just feel like I didn’t get Bryce there and not sure maybe exactly why or how. It didn’t quite click where we would’ve wanted it to. But he’s been an exceptional talent and a great young man.”

Detmer also said Underwood is focusing on developing his game so he’s ready when the time comes.