Bryce Underwood of
Belleville (Mich.) joins Derrick Henry (2010), Jabrill Peppers (2011), D.J. Uiagalelei (2017), Quinn Ewers (2019) and Elijah Brown (2021) as players to earn MaxPreps National Sophomore Player of the Year honors. Underwood led the Tigers to their first-ever unbeaten season at 14-0 record and second consecutive Division 1 state title.
Last year's MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year threw for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns. He added 632 yards rushing and eight more scores.
As a freshman, Underwood threw for 2,888 yards and 39 TDs.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal caller was named the 2022 MaxPreps Michigan Player of the Year. He was one of two sophomores selected as a MaxPreps State Player of the Year. Over his first two seasons as the starting quarterback he has led the Tigers to a 27-1 record and two Division 1 state championships, the only two state titles in school history.
In a 35-17 win over Caledonia in the Division 1 championship Underwood accounted for 304 yards of total offense (155 passing, 149 rushing) and three touchdowns. A week prior in the semifinals, he scored the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime to knock off Cass Tech (Detroit) 29-28.
247Sports has Underwood pegged as the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025. He is the top-rated quarterback and No. 1 player in Michigan.
Underwood is the first player from Michigan to be named the MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year and is the ninth quarterback selected. Underwood joins Jabrill Peppers, Austin Kafentzis and JT Daniels as the only players to be named Sophomore of the Year after being selected as the National Freshman of the Year.
Past MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year
2009 — Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Texas)
2010 — Derrick Henry, RB, Yulee (Fla.)
2011 — Jabrill Peppers, ATH, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2012 — Austin Kafentzis, QB, Jordan (Sandy, Utath)
2013 — Cameron Chambers, WR, Timber Creek (Erial, N.J.)
2014 — Tate Martell, QB, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
2015 — Dakereon Joyner, QB, Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.)
2016 — JT Daniels, QB, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2017 — D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
2018 — Dematrius Davis, QB, North Shore (Houston)
2019 — Quinn Ewers, QB, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
2020 — Lebbeus Overton, DL, Milton (Ga.)
2021 — Elijah Brown, QB, Mater Dei
