In an interview with J.D. Pickell of On3, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham compared Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood to a former Heisman winner.
“He kind of reminds me of Cam Newton,” Whittingham said.
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Underwood is entering his sophomore season after a true freshman campaign in which he completed 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 392 yards and six touchdowns.
Newton’s career really got going after transferring to Auburn for his senior season, throwing for 30 touchdowns and rushing for 20, en route to a Heisman Trophy and national championship. Newton’s athleticism and arm strength were perceived to be as good as any quarterback in college football history back in 2010.
“As far as his charisma, his stature. Big dude, 6-4-plus, 240 pounds, live arm, great athlete. Flashes that smile a lot like Cam did,” Whittingham explained. “That’s probably the guy that comes to mind mostly. The quarterbacks we’ve had, haven’t quite had anybody of this skillset.”
Whittingham also called Underwood “a tremendous leader” and a “landslide winner” for an offensive captain spot.
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The admiration is mutual between Whittingham and Underwood. When speaking with the media this week, Underwood said that it was a blessing how fast Michigan was “able to get the ball rolling for the next year” from a mindset switch.
“He’s pushing us way differently, pushing us to be the best we can possibly be,” Underwood said.
If Underwood can even scratch the surface of Cam Newton’s production at Auburn, it’ll mean Michigan would be well poised for a run at a Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff berth.
