Gracing the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 is just the beginning of Bryce Underwood’s stardom, and he’s ready for it

Michigan is the winningest program in the history of college football, and it now has the most cover athletes to ever be on the sport’s most popular video game. The legacy began with Charles Woodson posing on the front of EA Sports NCAA Football 99, and incoming freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is next.

EA Sports released the cover for NCAA Football 26 earlier this week, and Underwood, along with former star quarterback Denard “Shoelace” Robinson, is up front. Underwood is set to have millions of eyes on him less than a year after his final snap of high school football, and all signs point towards him being ready for it.

Underwood is the first true freshman to ever appear on the cover of the game. Here is the full list of Michigan’s cover athletes: 

• Woodson – 1999
• Desmond Howard – 2006
• Robinson – 2014 & 2026
• Donovan Edwards – 2025
• Underwood – 2026

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood is ready for the spotlight

Underwood is listed at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds – as a 17-year-old. He reclassified in high school (Belleville, Mich.) to move a year up and immediately dominated top competition in Division 1, garnering national attention as a 14-year-old state champion.

From week four of his freshman season to the state title game his junior year, Underwood helped Belleville win 38 straight games. At just 16, he had been to three straight state championships (2-1) and earned a Gatorade National Player of the Year award.

I covered Underwood in person on numerous occasions over the final three years of his high school career, and one thing was evident from the beginning: he’s different. Not just the way he played, but the way he carried himself, even at 15-17 years old.

New: Hunter Thomson finishes legendary career at Michigan, earns spot on PGA Tour Americas

Over the course of his prep career, crowds seemed to grow larger every week, both in terms of fans and media members. Eventually it was nearly impossible to ask Underwood questions after his games, as he was bombarded by cameras from local television stations. When the notoriety came, however, he stayed down to earth and seemed to take it all in stride.

Underwood is no stranger to fame, as he’s cousins with Detroit-based rap artist Sada Baby. Along with fellow Detroit-based rapper Skilla Baby, Sada has been at several of Underwood’s games over the years.

@theprep3 Why does Sada Baby back Belleville Football ? We found out last year at halftime of Churchill at Belleville on Gridiron Gameday! 🏈 #hsfootball #mhssa #mhsaafootball #sadababy #bryceunderwood #bellevillemichigan #bellevillefootball ♬ original sound – The PreP Sports

Sports and music have always gone together, and in Michigan, this is especially true. Whether it’s 100,000 people singing “Hail to the Victors” in unison at the Big House, or Lions fans screaming “Gridiron Heroes (Forward Down the Field)” at Ford Field, the two always connect in the Mitten.

More: Yaxel Lendeborg Withdraws From NBA Draft, Officially a Wolverine

For Underwood, his connection to a famous music artist likely helped him deal with the spotlight. An average 17-year-old might have trouble focusing while traveling around the country and becoming a household name, but not the future Wolverine.

Underwood could have success in college based on his tangibles alone, but his intangibles make him a potential first round pick in the NFL Draft.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms