Michigan football got some good news this week when Rod Moore announced his return for another season with the Wolverines.
Moore had six career interceptions, but his impact is much bigger than that. We'll see where Moore ends up playing. It felt like he was going to the nickel last season and that might be an ideal role for him next season, although his ability as a centerfielder is special too.
Moore returned this season after being projected by some as a first-round pick before the 2024 season. That's before he tore his ACL last spring. If Moore can get back on track, he could boost his NFL stock back to where it was before.
Moore isn't the only NFL-caliber player back on this roster. Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, T.J. Guy, Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann are others who have NFL futures.
Wink Martindale did garner some NFL interest, but the Bengals, Colts, and Falcons all hired other coaches. The hiring cylce isn't over yet but it feels much more lilely that Wink will be back next season and here is a projected starting lineup with Rod Moore back in the mix.
DE/EDGE: Derrick Moore and T.J. Guy
The Wolverines should have the same guys who started against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Moore had a breakout performance in that game. Guy did too.
Guy had 5.5 sacks last season. Moore had four and Cameron Brandt will also be back after notching three sacks last season. Others such as Dominic Nichols could emerge next season but the pass rush should be just fine.
Interior defensive line: Rayshaun Benny, Tre Williams, Damon Payne
Michigan football will have to replace two of the best defensive tackles in program history in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.
Graham should be a top-10 pick. He was an absolute force and it's truly astounding the impact those guys made in just three seasons. They were "gifts from the football gods" as Jim Harbaugh once said.
Michigan wouldn't have won the national championship without them. Rayshaun Benny confirmed he'll be back next season after 29 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Benny, like Moore, will need to dominate for this defense to be elite next season. He's underrated and it wouldn't shock me at all if he was a first-round pick or close by the time the 2026 NFL draft rolls around.
Tre Williams and Damon Payne were each quality pickups. They haven't quite met their potential but were each top-100 recruits and have been productive for elite programs. Williams had 14 tackles last season and had two sacks in the Clemson Tigers playoff loss to Texas.
Payne has 30 career tackles but was solid against the run last season, which will be his primary role for the Wolverines. Enow Etta could factor in as a five-technique/three-technique. He feels like a great fit for the old Mike Morris role.
Trey Pierce is another dude who played well in the Reliaquest Bowl and should get plenty of snaps as the first defensive tackle off the bench, although him starting is still a possibility.
Linebacker: Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham and Jimmy Rolder
Jaishawn Barham is expected to play some EDGE this season, as well as linebacker. Getting him back was a huge boon for the defense. Like Benny, Moore, and Guy, he would have been drafted this year.
Like Wink Martindale, it took Barham some time to settle in, but he can cover, rush the passer, and tackle. Hausmann was one of Michigan's best defenders by the end of last season and was the Wolverines leading tackler.
Barham and Hausmann combined for 155 tackles last season, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, and three pass breakups. Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan, and Troy Bowles will also be factors next season, especially since Barham plays snaps at linebacker and EDGE.
CB: Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill; Nickel: Rod Moore; Safety: TJ Metcalf and Brandyn Hillman
Zeke Berry played well down the stretch at cornerback and I'd be surprised if they moved him back to safety at this point.
Maybe he could play nickel if another cornerback was added from the transfer portal. But for now, Berry is Michigan's best cornerback. Jyaire Hil has the potential to be CB1. He should be improved next season and I think every Michigan football fan is excited to see what Brandyn Hillman can do as a starter.
The defense was much better down the stretch when Makari Paige was playing the nickel spot. He had a massive interception against Ohio State. He also had another key pass breakup and there's where I could see Moore playing next season.
Aamir Hall will also be a factor at cornerback. Don't count out Jo'Ziah Edmond. The sophomore defensive back could push for more playing time on defense next season, while incoming freshman Shamari Earls also has a chance to play right away.
TJ Metcalf, the Arkansas transfer, feels like a good bet to start, although Jaden Mangham will also be in the mix after a year of learning the defense.