Why Andrew Marsh stuck with Michigan, how Bryce Underwood and offense have chip on shoulder

Many Michigan Wolverines football players that decided to stick with the program under new head coach Kyle Whittingham for the 147th season of the program released graphics on social media stating their intention with ‘LFG147’ as the text.

Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Marsh — who led the team with 45 catches for 651 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025 — was among that group, but his timing was different. Despite the transfer portal closing Jan. 16, Marsh, a 6-foot-0, 190-pounder who never entered college football’s version of free agency, didn’t post his graphic until Feb. 2.

Meeting with reporters Wednesday, Marsh said he felt strongly about his desire to come back to Ann Arbor.

“It was a whole bunch of things that went into that decision,” the Katy, Texas, native said. “A lot of just me talking to people around me. But a big thing for me was really kind of wanting to stay where I’ve been, where my feet are planted and really just go from there. That was my biggest focus coming into this season was making sure everything was squared away here before we start looking elsewhere.”

He said “early on” in the process is when he felt things were “squared away.”

“I kind of knew I was going to be alright,” Marsh explained. “Part of it was the position I put myself coming off of last year, and then really just the trajectory of the team. I felt like, after talks with a lot of the guys, we kind of all came to the conclusion that we really wanted to stick it out, stay with the guys, keep it Michigan.”

Marsh has lofty goals for his sophomore season, with hopes of becoming Michigan’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Jeremy Gallon in 2013.

“It’s pretty important, something I really wanted to accomplish my freshman year, as well,” Marsh said. “I fell short of it, but it’s something I’m definitely chasing this year.”

Andrew Marsh, Bryce Underwood and Michigan offense have a chip on shoulder

Marsh and sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood both enrolled early last season and developed a special chemistry. Underwood connected on 60.3 percent of his throws for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns with 9 interceptions while opening all 13 outings.

“Day by day, we’re getting better,” Marsh said of the connection. “Really just looking forward to going out there and showing everybody how much better he’s really gotten. He’s just putting in before practice, after practice, lots of hours and work.

“He’s growing as a player every day, just as much as the rest of us. But really it’s been great just to see him take those leaps in his game.”

When asked if Underwood has a chip on his shoulder, out to prove something, this season, Marsh said the following: “I would say it’s definitely there, as well as it is for the rest of us. We’re really looking forward to coming out this year and showing everybody what we can do. Obviously, last year wasn’t the best. It wasn’t really Michigan’s standard. So, this year we really want to make sure that we accomplish that.”

The offense is conducive to accomplishing Marsh’s 1,000-yard goal, too, with new coordinator Jason Beck running the show.

“A lot of it just has to do with our play style this year,” Marsh said. “As far as the players, I feel like we’re a completely different team on the field. Really just being able to showcase that. I think our receiver room especially should have a great year.

“We’ve been airing the ball out a lot. It’s something I’m really looking forward to. I hope everybody is looking forward to it. I feel like we’re going to be dangerous this year. Just the ability to come out and show what we can do on the ground and through the air is going to be crazy.”