Sherrone Moore Provides Updates On Michigan QB Battle, O-Line Competition, More

LAS VEGAS — Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore met with reporters on Thursday on the final session of the 2025 Big Ten Media Days. He answered questions about his football team, their prospects this season, and much more. The highlights of everything he had to say can be found below.

“Our theme has been “team over me.” “Our team is as close as it’s ever been.” Ready to kick off fall camp.
The quarterback battle “is an open competition.” “There is no starter.”
How do you know when you have a starter? “When they grab the team.” Everybody can make throws, but it’s the guy who that the team is looking to when adversity strikes.
Bryce Underwood is 17 years old. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. He has expectations, but it takes a lot to be the starting quarterback at Michigan. “It’s gonna take a village for us to be a successful football team.” They have to do a good job of surrounding him with playmakers.
Bryce Underwood is up to 230 pounds now. It’s good weight.
On the battle at nickel: That competition is going to be fun to watch. They see Zeke Berry at corner after playing nickel last year. All of the safeties are in that battle and some of the corners are in it, even Jyaire Hill.
They want balance on offense. New OC Chip Lindsey has a history of 1,000-yard rushers and 3,000-yard passers in the same season. “He’s a balance guy.” There will be some spread elements but Michigan has always had that, they’ve just not always chosen to do it.
On Oklahoma: That’s a big game. First road test. It’s going to be a huge test. Brent Venables is a great coach.
Redshirt freshman Blake Frazier could factor in at left tackle. He’s healthy. He’s gone from 250 pounds to 295 pounds.
Really like Zeke Berry at cornerback. True freshman Shamari Earls is also standing out at cornerback.
Bryce Underwood doesn’t want to be given anything. “He knows that it’s going to be earned.” To be the starting quarterback at Michigan, “I’m not going to give you anything.”
Ohio State won the national title. “I give them all the credit.” People are trying to clickbait the players.
“Hellbent on being undefeated every year.” “The standard is not 8-5.”
“There will be no more flag-planting. There will be no more grabbing the flag.” The new tradition will be heading over to the band and singing Victors after the game.
How far or close were you last year? When you beat the team that won it all, obviously you’re pretty close.
On stopping Jeremiah Smith: “Yeah, I can’t give away all the secrets because he’s pretty good. He’s going to make plays. He’s probably the best college football player that’s out there. He’s elite.”
Linebacker Jimmy Rolder has been doing very well. Linebacker Jaishawn Barham is a freakshow. He’s 6-3 and 250 pounds. Can play on the edge as well.
Transfer receiver Donovan McCaulley has been a leader of the receiver room. He is similar to Nico Collins. He can make plays and he’s a talented, physical target.
On adding transfer RBs: Adds depth and bodies and help on special teams.
“Super-excited” about the defensive line depth.
Derrick Moore and TJ Guy can be as good as any DEs in the country. Same for RBs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall.
On preparing for the season when you don’t know what the NCAA is going to do? Not hard because everybody’s excited about the season. You can’t control what you can’t control.
If there is a suspension, is there a plan in place? “Yep.”
You can’t be fragile when you’re the quarterback at Michigan. You can’t be sensitive. You have to be able to handle criticism. You better turn off social media.
Asked about speeding up NCAA investigations, he declined to comment.
Is Bryce Underwood a possible part of the running game? Any time you have a QB who can do that, it’s going to be a part of the offense. But if you’re going to do that, you’ve got to have two quarterbacks.
Mikey Keene is experienced enough to win the job without having a spring because of his injury.
Sophomore OT Andrew Sprague is “uber talented.” He showed his ability last year. By the end of the season he was one of the best five. He’s in the pole position to start at right tackle.
On the offense: “We’ll be explosive. That’s the plan.”
On beating Ohio State last year despite losses that season, “It’s not about belief, it’s about trust.”
They have a couple of true freshmen that could start this year on the offensive line.
Being more explosive this season in the passing game will happen because the passing game will be more consistent this season. He saw it in the spring. That’s what held them back last year.
They’re still up in the air about their starting five on the offensive line. They have versatility, so it’s about finding the best five.
On the tight ends: Hogan Hansen will be a good player for them. He’s recovering from injury. Marlin Klein is a really good player.
On WR Kendrick Bell: He is healthy and ready to go. Full go. “He looks great.” He’s stronger and just as explosive. He’s an X that will push Donovan McCulley for playing time.
On finishing 3-0 last year: It instilled confidence in the team. “It wasn’t a magic potion.” The energy, focus, and level of confidence was different than the others. The leaders saw it.
When you’re 5-5 on the season, you really find out who you are down the stretch — “not when you’re 15-0.”
RBs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall are 1a and 1b.
The freshmen nowadays are bigger, faster, and stronger. “It’s just different now.” Kids are even reclassifying to graduate a year early.