Brent Venables compares Michigan’s Bryce Underwood to former No. 1 pick, current NFL starter
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Quarterbacks like Michigan’s Bryce Underwood don’t grow on trees. The top player of the 2025 recruiting class drew a Vince Young comparison from 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins for goodness’ sake. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables saw someone closer to home, though, when analyzing Underwood.
During his Tuesday press appearance, Venables told reporters he likens Underwood to former Clemson star and current Jacksonville Jaguars passer Trevor Lawrence. Venables specifically mentioned a number of traits when making the comparison.
“He’s a little different. It reminds me a lot of a Trevor Lawrence,” Venables said. “[He’s] quick, decisive, accurate, poised, tough, consistent. There’s a reason he was the No. 1 player in America. And he’s got a maturity and a work ethic and leadership agility to go along with that.”
Lawrence, who won the 2018 College Football Playoff for Clemson — where Venables was defensive coordinator from 2012-21 — was the No. 1 recruit in the 2018 recruiting class. Venables noted game traits when discussing the two players, but their physical traits are similar, too.
Lawrence stands 2 inches taller (6-foot-6) than Underwood (6-4), but the 18-year-old Wolverine has an 8-pound advantage (228) over Lawrence (220) on the scale.
With Underwood’s career just beginning, he has plenty of time to replicate Lawrence’s collegiate feats. Winning the CFP as a freshman and being the No. 1 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft are both possibilities for a player of his caliber. Beating Venables and the Sooners on Saturday would go a long way toward making the first potential feat a reality. Kickoff for the College GameDay matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. E.T. on ESPN.
