Bryce Underwood still leading Michigan, supporting Tommy Carr despite benching

Bryce Underwood didn't sulk after being benched. He supported Tommy Carr.

Key points

• Kyle Whittingham discussions Michigan football QB change, future aims in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct.
• After being publicly non-committal earlier in the week regarding his starting quarterback, first-year Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham opted to go with Carr against Indiana.
• With Carr in the game, Michigan rallied for a 21-18 victory.
• Perhaps most notably, Underwood was shown embracing Carr shortly before the first start of the freshman's college career.
• Still, Underwood's doing what he can to support his team prepare for one of its biggest games of the season.

Bryce Underwood didn't sulk after being benched. He supported Tommy Carr. Craig Meyer USA TODAY NETWORK. Kyle Whittingham discussions Michigan football QB change, future aims.

Kyle Whittingham discussions Michigan football QB change, future aims in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

When Michigan football took the field for its first offensive possession of the day against reigning national champion Indiana, it was Tommy Carr, not Bryce Underwood, leading the Wolverines out on the field.

In practice, the benched former five-star recruit continued to play an integral role in Michigan's pre-game preparation before kickoff against the No. 6 Hoosiers. Analysis: Tommy Carr can't fix Michigan's biggest difficulty after Indiana loss. More: Michigan football choice between Tommy Carr, Bryce Underwood is clear.

Underwood was one of the Wolverines' captains for the pre-game coin toss and was helping lead the breakdown after Michigan obtained onto the field, with his teammates huddled around him.

After the game, ultimately a 13-6 loss that went to overtime, Carr confirmed what the broadcast appeared to be showing: Underwood was relentlessly positive to him throughout the game. "Bryce all game was right at my side, you know?" Carr remarked to reporters after the game. "Helping me along through the way. Watching film with me. Just picking me up when I created a bad play. And hyping me up when I created a good play. So he was helpful all game, and I was grateful for that."

Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, struggled mightily in the first six games of his sophomore season, completing fewer than 60% of his passes with five touchdowns and six interceptions. At halftime of Michigan's Week 7 game against Penn State, and with the Wolverines trailing 3-0, Underwood was sidelined after completing only five of 11 passes for 43 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. With Carr in the game, Michigan rallied for a 21-18 victory.

After being publicly non-committal earlier in the week regarding his starting quarterback, first-year Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham opted to go with Carr against Indiana. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, bryce Underwood still leading Michigan, supporting Tommy Carr despite benching remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.