Reigning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year led Belleville to second consecutive Division 1 state title.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Bryce Underwood of
Belleville is the 2022 MaxPreps Michigan High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback is the first sophomore to earn MaxPreps state POY honors after leading the Tigers to a 14-0 record and second straight Division 1 state championship.
Underwood threw for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns against just six interceptions while adding 632 yards on the ground and eight more scores. In a 35-17 win over Caledonia in the Division 1 state championship game, he accounted for 304 yards of total offense (155 passing, 149 rushing).
In the semifinals, Underwood kept Belleville's season alive by scoring a touchdown with a minute left to send the game to overtime. Then in extra time he ran in the game-winning two-point conversion to beat Cass Tech (Detroit) 29-28.
Last year as a freshman he led the Tigers to their first state title in school history. He was named MaxPreps Freshman of the Year after throwing for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Underwood is the top-rated quarterback in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports and is the No. 3 prospect overall. He has already landed 20-plus offers headlined by Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Michigan Players of the Year2020 – Donovan Edwards, RB, West Bloomfield
2021 – Dante Moore, QB, King (Detroit)
Belleville is 27-1 in Bryce Underwood's two seasons in the program. (Photo: Mariusz Nowak)
