“Next in line after Bryce Underwood at Michigan”: Fans react to freshman Michigan QB leading his high school to a long-awaited State title win
Freshman quarterback Donald Tabron has caught the attention of fans and analysts after leading his high school to its first state championship in years. In the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state finals, Tabron displayed poise beyond his years, completing 15 of 20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns.
His performance helped Cass Tech establish an early 21-0 lead by halftime, with veteran receivers Alex Graham and Corey Sadler capitalizing on his precision. Meanwhile, Hudsonville mounted a late-game surge, with quarterback Griffin Baker contributing a rushing touchdown and a 15-yard passing score, but Tabron’s calm command under pressure solidified Cass Tech’s victory.
Fans have already begun drawing comparisons between Tabron and Bryce Underwood, the five-star quarterback who recently committed to Michigan.
"He’s next in line after Bryce Underwood at Michigan!" one fan exclaimed, adding, "He’s going to bring a Heisman to Ann Arbor if Bryce doesn’t."
Another, dubbed Tabron:
"Future Wolverine."
Here is how other fans are expressing their reactions:
Even before taking his first varsity snap, Tabron attracted scholarship offers from powerhouse programs such as Michigan, Michigan State, Auburn, and Kentucky. His trainer, Donovan Dooley of Quarterback University, praised Tabron’s technical skill and game awareness.
“Don has a smooth stroke and doesn’t need much space to deliver the ball,” Dooley explained to Sports Illustrated, adding, “He’s a situational creature... If he stays on this trajectory, I see his name being called on the NFL stage someday.”
Bryce Underwood adds another award to his legacy
Bryce Underwood, the 6-foot-4, 214-pound quarterback from Belleville High, has added another accolade to his illustrious career. On Friday, he was named the 2024 Gatorade Michigan Football Player of the Year, a title he also secured in 2023. Underwood is the first player in Belleville’s history to receive this prestigious honor.
Leading his team to a 10-2 record this season, Underwood showcased his prowess with 2,321 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and only five interceptions while completing over 71% of his throws. His dual-threat abilities were equally remarkable, as he rushed for 582 yards and added ten scores on the ground.
Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country by the On3 Industry Ranking, decided to sign his letter of intent to Michigan in 2025 on National Signing Day after he changed his mind about his earlier decision to commit to LSU on November 21.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore expressed high praise:
“He’s as good as any high school quarterback I’ve seen play football.”
Underwood is Michigan’s first No. 1 overall prospect since Rashan Gary in 2016 and is, thus, the most recent core of a ninth-best national recruiting class, according to On3.