Freshman Tommy Carr named Michigan's QB2 ahead of Week 1
Michigan Wolverines football coach Kyle Whittingham named true freshman Tommy Carr as the No. 2 quarterback behind Bryce Underwood on Monday, settling a neck-and-neck backup race with Colorado State transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Carr will be first off the bench when the Wolverines open the 2026 season Saturday against Western Michigan on NBC.
The decision closes the final major quarterback question for first-year head coach Whittingham heading into Week 1. Carr edged Fowler-Nicolosi despite arriving on campus only months ago and carrying zero college game experience into the season.
Key Takeaways
- True freshman Tommy Carr beat transfer Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi for Michigan's QB2 role behind starter Bryce Underwood.
- Carr impressed in spring ball and added 10 pounds since then, now listed at 195 pounds on the roster.
- Whittingham, offensive coordinator Jason Beck, and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. all backed the decision.
- Michigan opens the 2026 season Saturday vs. Western Michigan at 7:36 p.m. ET on NBC.
- Carr could see mop-up snaps in Week 1 if the Wolverines build a comfortable lead.
Who Is Tommy Carr and Why Did He Win the Job?
Carr arrives in Ann Arbor as a legacy recruit from nearby Saline, Michigan. His grandfather is former Wolverines head coach Lloyd Carr, his father Jason Carr played quarterback at Michigan, and his older brother CJ Carr starts at Notre Dame.
A three-star recruit, Carr passed for 5,247 yards and 64 touchdowns across two years as a high school starter, going 18-5 in those games. He stole the show during spring practice under Whittingham's new staff, and quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. said last week the backup race was "neck-and-neck" once Fowler-Nicolosi arrived for fall camp.
Whittingham's Monday announcement gives Carr the nod anyway — a significant vote of confidence in a player who has been on campus for only a handful of months. As ESPN reported, Carr will get the first chance after Underwood when Michigan kicks off Saturday.
What Does the QB2 Decision Mean for Bryce Underwood?
Underwood enters his sophomore season as the undisputed starter after a mixed 2025 debut that included 2,428 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Whittingham said Underwood is "way further ahead" in preseason camp than he was during spring practice, and the goal is to keep him healthy behind an improved offensive line.
With Carr settled as the backup, Michigan gains security at the game's most important position. The hope is Carr never has to take meaningful snaps in 2026, but Whittingham now has a trusted option if Underwood goes down or the Wolverines pull starters late in a blowout.
When and Where Can Fans Watch Michigan's Week 1 Opener?
Michigan faces Western Michigan on Saturday at 7:36 p.m. ET on NBC — the first game of Kyle Whittingham's tenure in Ann Arbor. Fans looking for more college football viewing updates can follow our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for schedule and broadcast coverage throughout the season.
Whittingham could still give both quarterbacks game reps in Week 1 if the Wolverines build a big enough lead, but Carr is the designated No. 2. The decision also signals Michigan's long-term plan: Underwood is expected to start through 2027 before a likely NFL move, making Carr the program's quarterback of the future.