Michigan transfers share 'huge' impressions of Bryce Underwood

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Often, we tend to look through the eyes of veteran Wolverines to assess how the incoming players, whether they be transfers or freshmen, to gauge just how good they might be. But given how much more prolific the Utah offense was under Jason Beck last year, couldn't the same be done using the incoming transfers to evaluate the extant Michigan players?

With Monday's media availability, featuring three former Utes who are now Wolverines, we did exactly that.

Even as a true freshman last year, wide receiver JJ Buchanan was third on the team in receiving yards, with 26 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns. Had he been wearing maize and blue, he still would have been third in receptions and receiving yards, but he also would have led in touchdowns caught through the air.

Buchanan was in the same class as both WR Andrew Marsh and quarterback Bryce Underwood, but they're new to him as teammates. He shared his impressions of both on Monday and what they bring to the table.

"Andrew Marsh, man, he's a heck of a player. He's going to be a dude, for sure," Buchanan said. "In a couple of years, he'll be in the league, 100%. I love playing beside him. I feel like we complement each other really well. 

"And Bryce, obviously, I've heard a lot about him. We're in the same recruiting cycle. Best quarterback and best recruit in the country. Everything you need in a quarterback. Charisma, build, arm. He has everything you need. And I think that with this new system, with this new belief that we've instilled in him, I think that he will take a huge leap this year. And yeah, I think he'll take a huge leap this year."

Smith Snowden came to Ann Arbor as a veteran nickelback who thrived under Kyle Whittingham at Utah, and while he may be on the defensive side of the ball, he has some impressions of what he's facing in practice now at the quarterback position.

Last season with the Utes, Devon Dampier passed for 2,490 yards and ran for 835 more. Underwood threw for nearly that much, but ran far less than Dampier — with the former Utah quarterback having a bit more of a composed and complete season.

Snowden shared his early thoughts on what Underwood brings to the table and how he compares to Dampier. And given what he's seen thus far, he's excited about the Michigan quarterback's potential.

"Devin's a straight baller, and I think when he was on the field, I trusted that he was going to go out there and make a play. And I feel the same way about Bryce," Snowden said. "I think he's 6-3, 220, 225, and he's fast and has a cannon of an arm. I've seen him throw some balls. I've been like, dang, like that right on a rope. So he's just continued to improve every single day. He's continuing to get comfortable in the offense. He's learning a new offense. Everyone's learning new things, but we're putting the pieces together, and it's going good."

Fans will get an opportunity to see all of the above on April 18 when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan transfers on Bryce Underwood and Andrew Marsh's potential

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