Michigan Football: Jim Harbaugh has high praise for Derrick Moore

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh recently offered some high praise about freshman defensive end Derrick Moore.

Derrick Moore had planned on playing his college ball at Oklahoma. However, the top 50 recruit reopened his recruitment after Lincoln Riley left Norman for Southern California.

Moore committed to Michigan football on National Signing Day following a December official visit. Now, the talented freshman may be in line for early playing time.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was a guest on this week’s edition of the “Inside The Trenches” Podcast with Jon Jansen. As Jansen was ready to move on to discuss Michigan’s secondary, Harbaugh interjected to heap praise on the true freshman. You can listen to the full episode here but here is a snippet of the conversation:

"“Derrick Moore, he is going to be — I think my personal opinion is going to be a fantastic player. Probably will also be a really good player right away in the fall. He is really gifted athletically and strength — it’s all there already. Another mid-year freshman and when he figures out to play with the really high relentless mid-play — you can still make a play — you don’t have to just come clean to make a play and get involved with a tackle or a sack.”"

What Harbaugh’s word should have you excited about Derrick Moore

It is rare for Harbaugh to have that much praise for an early enrollee. However, that speaks to how impressive Moore has been since he arrived on campus.

Michigan football will need someone to step up to replace the production of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. Upperclassmen like Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Taylor Upshaw, and Braiden McGregor are likely the first candidates to fill those roles.

However, Michigan’s deepest defensive lines recently have featured an impact, true freshman, in the rotation, like Rashan Gary in 2016 and Aidan Hutchinson in 2018. Moore may be putting himself in a position to fill that role in 2022.