In a groundbreaking moment for college football and gaming, Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood has etched his name in history as the first true freshman to grace the cover of EA Sports College Football 26. This unprecedented achievement, announced on May 27, 2025, underscores the meteoric rise of a player who has yet to take a single college snap but is already being hailed as a generational talent. Underwood’s inclusion on the deluxe edition cover, alongside established stars and former Michigan legend Denard Robinson, signals EA Sports’ bold bet on his potential to reshape the sport.
Underwood, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound dual-threat quarterback from Belleville, Michigan, has been a phenomenon since his high school days. Born on August 19, 2007, he burst onto the national scene as a freshman at Belleville High School, leading the Tigers to a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state championship in 2021. That season, he threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns with just four interceptions, while rushing for six scores. His performance earned him the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year award. Over the next two years, he continued his dominance, guiding Belleville to another state title in 2022 and a third consecutive championship game appearance in 2023. By his senior year, Underwood had amassed 11,488 passing yards and 152 touchdowns, both MHSAA records, and was named the 2024 Michigan Mr. Football.
Rated as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class by ESPN, 247Sports, and On3, Underwood’s decision to flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan in November 2024 sent shockwaves through the college football world. His choice to stay close to home, just 15 miles from Ann Arbor, was influenced by Michigan’s renewed recruiting efforts under head coach Sherrone Moore and a reported competitive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package. Underwood’s arrival comes at a critical time for the Wolverines, who struggled with inconsistent quarterback play in 2024, cycling through three starters and finishing with the worst passing offense among Power Four teams.
Underwood’s spring game performance in April 2025 offered a glimpse of his raw talent and areas for growth. Completing 12 of 26 passes for 187 yards, he showcased his arm strength with an 88-yard touchdown pass but also faced challenges, including two sacks and delay-of-game penalties. Despite these growing pains, Michigan’s coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, expressed confidence in his potential to compete for the starting role as a freshman against Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene and sophomore Jadyn Davis.
The EA Sports College Football 26 deluxe edition cover, featuring Underwood among nine athletes, including Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams, reflects the game’s celebration of both emerging and established stars. His selection as the only freshman highlights his unmatched hype and NIL valuation, second only to Duke’s Cooper Flagg among college freshmen. While some fans questioned the choice of an unproven player, Underwood’s supporters point to his high school accolades and “pocket courage” as evidence of his readiness for the spotlight.
For Michigan fans, Underwood’s cover appearance is a symbol of hope for a program aiming to reclaim its national championship glory. As he prepares to compete for the starting job in 2025, the “Hometown Hero” is poised to live up to the immense expectations set by his historic EA Sports cover debut.
