Without a doubt, one of the most important players on the 2026 Michigan football roster is safety Rod Moore, who hasn't been truly 100 percent since the 2023 season.
We have heard Moore talk about being 100 percent. It never happened in 2025. Moore was able to play four games last season and played really well against Wisconsin, despite being on the field for just 19 snaps. Moore made three big-time plays, including an interception to help seal a win.
That game showed that even if Moore isn't 100 percent, his knack for knowing the game, knowing where the ball is going to be, is invaluable.
Michigan football missed him last season and in 2024. If Moore hadn't been injured, he would have likely gone to the NFL after the 2024 season as a fairly high draft pick. He was considered one of the best safeties in college football, for good reason. He's got seven career interceptions, as well as eight pass breakups.
Moore's impact goes beyond stats, though. He's an eraser in the middle of the field. His ability to quarterback the defense will also be critical for Jay Hill this season. Hill's defense is based, in part, on having elite play in the secondary. When healthy, Moore certainly meets that definition.
Rod Moore reminds Michigan fans what he can do in fall camp
We saw that once again on Wednesday as Michigan football opened fall camp. Bryce Underwood had a highlight-reel throw to Utah transfer J.J. Buchanan. That was one of the plays of the day; However, Moore also came away with an interception, wearing the No. 1, and looked very healthy doing it.
An immediate presence pic.twitter.com/aJjkSuIwdv
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 5, 2026
Michigan football released the highlight video after the first day of fall camp on Wednesday. Moore, who was on a "pitch count", according to Hill, didn't look like he was hindered on the interception. It showed great instincts, and it was a great break on the ball. We don't know which quarterback threw it. It could have been Underwood. That doesn't matter. What does is that Moore looks like he's in mid-season form.
The All-Big Ten safety needs to get back to 100 percent. The Wolverines need to be smart with him over the next few weeks, but if Moore is truly 100 percent, as in not on a pitch count by the Oklahoma game, that would be ideal. That would allow this defense to be firing on all cylinders.
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