Tommy Carr Expected to Start at Quarterback for Michigan Against Indiana

The Michigan Wolverines are preparing to start freshman quarterback Tommy Carr in their upcoming game against No. 6 Indiana on Saturday. Head coach Kyle Whittingham's decision to make a quarterback change comes in the wake of a 21-18 comeback victory over Penn State, a game where Carr stepped in for struggling starter Bryce Underwood at halftime.

Michigan struggled offensively in the first half against Penn State, falling into a 3-0 deficit while Underwood threw two interceptions and completed just five of 11 passes for 43 yards. Looking for a spark, the coaching staff turned to Carr, a true freshman and the grandson of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. Although his passing statistics were modest—completing five of seven attempts for 47 yards—Carr managed the offense efficiently, avoided turnovers, and added four rushes for 36 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run that sealed the game-winning score.

The transition marks a significant turning point for the Wolverines, who currently hold a 4-2 record and face mounting pressure in the College Football Playoff race. Michigan's offense has struggled heavily under Underwood this season, ranking 105th nationally in scoring offense with 22.7 points per game. Underwood completed 58.1% of his passes for 924 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions over his six starts, drawing considerable scrutiny given his high-profile status as a former five-star recruit and substantial name, image, and likeness investment.

Underwood arrived in Ann Arbor as the top overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class with immense expectations. However, consistency issues plagued his freshman campaign, during which he threw 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions, struggling notably in high-profile matchups against Oklahoma and Ohio State. His difficulties carried over into his sophomore year under Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, ultimately leading to his benching after a scoreless first half against Penn State.

For Carr, the opportunity arrives much earlier than initially anticipated. A three-star recruit out of Saline, Michigan, and the younger brother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, he originally joined the Wolverines with the understanding that he might wait until his junior year to contend for the starting job. Instead, he will be thrust directly into a challenging matchup against Indiana's formidable defense.

As Carr prepares for his first career start, questions loom regarding the future of Bryce Underwood in Ann Arbor. With the player expected to navigate his options in the transfer portal during the upcoming offseason, major programs nationwide will likely evaluate whether they can unlock the considerable physical talent that Michigan struggled to harness.