When Michigan quarterback coach Koy Detmer looks at Bryce Underwood, he sees a player who has taken significant steps forward. And for a program eager to build momentum, that's exactly the kind of progress they need to see.

Detmer, who joined the Wolverines' staff alongside head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah, recently shared his optimism about Underwood's development during spring practice. The young quarterback, who started for Michigan as a freshman last season, has been putting in the work—and it's showing.

"I thought he was great," Detmer said. "He made big strides from Day 1 to the spring game, and I thought he got better every single day. He came to us with an open mind, and there was that trust that was being built on both sides. Each day, he just found a way to get better."

Underwood's freshman campaign was solid, if unspectacular. He completed 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards, with 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions. On the ground, he added 392 rushing yards and six scores on 88 carries. Those numbers give Michigan fans reason for hope, especially as he continues to refine his game.

While Underwood only played the first quarter of the spring game—a performance that some might call uneven—Detmer is quick to point out that one quarter doesn't define a full spring's worth of work. The growth has been consistent, day by day.

"I've really enjoyed working with Bryce. It's been a lot of fun," Detmer added. "He's a hard worker and a great kid and just wanting to get better every day. Our emphasis was just trying to get 1% better every single day and find something to focus on every day. I thought that he attacked that with the right mindset and got that accomplished."

Whittingham has already declared Underwood "QB1," and he's seen tangible improvements in the young quarterback's footwork and pocket presence. The head coach is confident in the trajectory.

"He still has work to do, he knows that, we know that, but I think he's ahead of where he was certainly prior to or from last season," Whittingham said. "We think he's got a big upside. There's no real different sentiment than what we had when we first got in here."

Adding to the optimism is the upcoming arrival of Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi in June, which will deepen the quarterback room and create healthy competition. For now, though, all eyes remain on Underwood—and the strides he's making are impossible to ignore.