Not many teams can say that they have an all-star coming back from injury when given the clearance to participate. Safety Rod Moore has been seen running again and is on the brink of reclaiming his role covering the back half of the Michigan defense. Some would consider him the best player on Wink Martindale's quarterback-hunting unit and like having another coach on the field.
Without Moore a season ago, Michigan's pass defense didn't miss a beat. That trend should remain the same in 2025. The most yardage that they surrendered was against Dillon Gabriel, and he didn't even scratch the 300-yard mark. It would have been interesting to see how Michigan's defenders fared in day-to-day practice with Davis Warren and Alex Orji tossing them some softball throws, while they learned on the fly on gamedays without Moore.
Michigan star Rod Moore is a dying breed
Moore's injury is a prime example of the risk these players take when deciding on their futures. He could have easily gone to the NFL after winning the national championship and being part of three Big Ten title teams, but instead, he stayed at Michigan, not once, but twice. He truly is the last of a dying breed in college sports. Money and loyalty have different meanings to Moore compared to just about any college athlete in these times.
Having Moore back is almost like the equivalent of Will Johnson suiting up for LaMar Morgan's secondary again. Moore is like retaining a five-star recruit or transfer. In fact, three of the most revered safeties in college are located in the Big Ten. PFF ranks Caleb Downs, Koi Perich, and Dillon Thieneman ahead of Moore, with Iowa's Xavier Nwankpa as an honorable mention in one of the deepest positions in the game.
For his triumphant return to the field in 2025, the Wolverines will get to square off with some quarterbacks who will be on the NFL's radar, like Dylan Raiola and Julian Sayin. Getting Moore back by week two for the showdown in Norman to battle John Mateer should be the goal, but we won't know more until camp details emerge.