ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football has determined its backup to Bryce Underwood, and it's a familiar name.

Freshman Tommy Carr, a star at nearby Saline High School and the grandson of former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr, has been tapped as the Wolverines' backup quarterback heading into Saturday's season opener against Western Michigan. Head coach Kyle Whittingham made the announcement Monday during his weekly news conference, telling reporters "Tommy Carr is No. 2, yep."

A Battle Won

Carr edged out Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, an experienced quarterback with 28 collegiate starts under his belt. Fowler-Nicolosi joined Michigan in camp and pushed for the backup job, coaches say. But it was the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Carr who continued his strong impression from the spring, when he capitalized on a thin quarterback room and emerged as the team's No. 2 to Underwood.

Whittingham doesn't believe in releasing depth charts and it's not something he is going to do entering the 2026 season. However, he didn't hesitate to name Carr Michigan's No. 2 QB on the depth chart. Monday marked the first time there was a leader in the clubhouse at QB, behind Underwood.

Coaches have raved about Carr's athletic traits and elusiveness, which came out in April's spring game in Ann Arbor. He emerged as the team's backup then and began preseason camp in the same position, but Michigan wanted to get a first-hand look at Fowler-Nicolosi. It was just 11 days ago that Michigan coaches were saying that Fowler-Nicolosi and his experience had caught up to Carr. Instead, the veteran transfer will begin the season as the No. 3.

A Family Legacy

Carr is the brother of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, a former four-star recruit who ranked in the top 100 of the 2024 recruiting class. Tommy, the younger of the two, was also a four-star recruit but garnered fewer recruiting offers, eventually flipping to Michigan from Miami (Ohio).

A Mobile Offense

The decision to elevate Carr signals what the Wolverines want to do on the offensive side of the ball. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck isn't afraid to run his QB. That's something he has said multiple times and the Wolverines plan on unleashing Underwood this fall. The Utes ran Devon Dampier 146 times last season, just three times fewer than starting RB Wayshawn Parker.

Michigan might not run Underwood that much this season, but it will be more than the 88 times Sherrone Moore ran him in 2025.

Carr can run the football, he can use his legs to extend plays, and he is able to layer the ball in tight coverages. Fowler-Nicolosi might be the veteran of the two, but Beck wouldn't have to change his playbook entirely with Carr behind center, as the Wolverines are looking for its QB to make plays using his legs — something Fowler-Nicolosi wasn't going to give the team in 2026.

Recently, QB coach Koy Detmer Jr. spoke about what makes a QB successful in Beck's offense. "Like we've always mentioned, you always would love a guy that, and I think at this level, you've got to be in the elite level, throw the ball, and throwing and catching," Detmer Jr. said. "But you also — it helps when you have a guy that can hurt you with their legs, and being able to add plus one runs in the run game. In the passing game, nothing's perfect, and you're able to cover things up, scramble around, and make opportunities where they are. And so, I think having a guy that has both of those, can hurt you with his arm and his legs, as well as, you know, the decision making is huge."

Looking Ahead

Underwood, a sophomore, is set to start Saturday's opener after making 13 starts for the Wolverines in 2025. The former five-star recruit threw for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns, with nine interceptions and two fumbles lost in his debut season. Michigan has two other quarterbacks on the roster: sophomore Chase Herbstreit and a second walk-on.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 7:30 m. ET on NBC.