The past two seasons have not gone as expected for Michigan's Rod Moore.
After being a critical part of three consecutive Big Ten championships and a national championship in 2023, Moore suffered a season-ending injury ahead of the 2024 season, then was limited to four games for Michigan football in 2025.
Even in limited action, Moore was impactful. He intercepted a pass again Wisconsin, stopped a potential touchdown on a reverse, and broke up a screen pass that also could have gone for big yardage.
It was a glimpse of what Moore can do when healthy. Unfortunately, he wasn't 100 percent, to the point that he could resume his full-time role. In that Wisconsin game, the defensive back made those three plays in just 18 snaps.
Imagine if Moore was on the field for 50.
In an interview with the In The Trenches" Podcast, Moore said he was "feeling his best" since the day he tore his ACL in spring practice of 2024. The former All-Big Ten honoree also said that he was "feeling fast."
Michigan's secondary will be loaded with a healthy Rod Moore
That should be music to the ears of Michigan fans. If Moore is back to his old self, or even close, a secondary that also features Jyaire Hill, Zeke Berry, Smith Snowden, and others, such as Mason Curtis, could be one of the best in college football.
Moore had four interceptions back in 2022. He has seven for his career, along with eight pass breakups. His true impact goes beyond that. He was an eraser for the Wolverines, making it very difficult to connect on deep plays against Michigan's defense. The interception against Ohio State in 2023 was another notable play where he just showed next-level instincts.
Moore thrived under Jesse Minter. New defensive coordinator Jay Hill is much more like Minter than Wink Martindale, who was miscast in his role. Hill and Moore already seem to have a great relationship, according to Moore.
“(Jay Hill) called me one day out of nowhere — I think it was probably a week after he got here — and he was like, ‘I like the way you move.’ I’m like, ‘Dang, you back there watching the ‘23 film?’ And he told me how he can’t wait to get me back, and to be honest, it’s probably been the first time in my college career that I’ve felt I had the support and the needs for a coach to want me healthy," Moore said.
Moore needs to have a big season for his NFL draft stock. The Wolverines could use another impact player, which will he be, if he is actually 100 percent.
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