Michigan football looks to revive offense under new coordinator, quarterback

DETROIT — It didn't take long for Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy to jump completely on board with the direction of the Wolverines' offense under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. Lindsey, most recently the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at North Carolina, was hired to revive an offense that was ranked among the nation's worst last season, particularly in the pass game. Bellamy, who spoke at a recent national high school camp at Wayne State, wouldn't share any secrets about what Lindsey's offense might look like this fall, but he did make clear they're aligned. "I love it. Love it that we see it the same way," Bellamy said to a group of reporters. "Smart guy who understands what Michigan football is, understands what the program is built on, respects it. He's been around it a long time. Chip is going to do a phenomenal job. Super smart guy, and the kids love him." A successful offense certainly is about more than the coordinator. It's about all phases — the quarterback, offensive line, running backs and receivers, everyone working in sync. But having solid quarterbacking is key, and that's where the Wolverines are feeling better about themselves with the addition of five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, the nation's top recruit. Underwood enrolled early, has been with the team since bowl practices in late December and went through spring practice as one of two healthy quarterbacks; Jadyn Davis was the other. Bellamy, who also played at Michigan, doesn't know who Underwood might be comparable to, but said he has set himself apart. "He's unique," Bellamy said. "Big kid, strong arm, accurate, super cerebral, super-smart kid. I know we've had a lot of great quarterbacks at Michigan. I don't think it's fair to Bryce to say who's comparable to him now, but, obviously, there's a lot of great things that he's done thus far. The short term, you can see it. "I'm most impressed with his leadership and the way he comes out there ready to go every day. For a young kid, that's pretty impressive. Doesn't get rattled. He's always working. You love that as a coach, because he's the quarterback (and he) leads the team and guys follow. You can see that following now with summer with some of the guys, not just guys in this class, but some of the older guys." Underwood is on the EA Sports College Football 26 deluxe edition cover with a number of other former and current players and coaches, and is the first true freshman to appear on the cover of the video game. He has remained, Bellamy said, unchanged. "It's always big smile, great personality," Bellamy said. "I haven't seen a difference. Humble young man, awesome kid." Along with finding a quarterback, the offseason has been about shaping the receivers room. Tight end Colston Loveland was the team's leading receiver, but the quarterbacks — the Wolverines started three different QBs last season — and the receivers never found much chemistry. Michigan ranked 131st nationally in passing offense. Michigan added big-body Donaven McCulley and Anthony Simpson from the portal to join returners Semaj Morgan, Fred Moore and Peyton O'Leary, among others. McCulley, 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, is considered the Wolverines' top outside receiver. "You like big receivers — you want quarterbacks to be accurate, but they could be less accurate, if that makes sense," Bellamy said, referring to the advantage of having a taller receiver. "(Those) guys have a bigger catch radius. McCulley has been a great addition to our team, more so our receiver room, mentally because he's a veteran." Bellamy has high hopes for Morgan, who played for him at West Bloomfield and will be a junior this fall. The game has slowed down for Morgan, he said, and that will allow his explosiveness to be more evident. "Semaj had a really good spring," Bellamy said. "I'm excited to kind of see where summer goes for him and then, obviously, camp in August. He's stronger, more explosive." That's exactly the direction Bellamy wants the entire room to go.