Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media on Monday ahead of the Wolverines' season-opening game against New Mexico on Saturday.
The Wolverines are ranked 14th in the AP Poll. They are also heavy favorites against the Mountain West opponent with a first-year head coach.
Moore talked quite a bit about the Lobos. However, he probably talked more about his own roster, even beyond Bryce Underwood, who was named the starting quarterback officially.
Moore also confirmed the season-ending injury of five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, who was competing for the starting job prior to that at left tackle with Evan Link.
Link was named the starter by Moore on Monday, along with the rest of the offensive line. Yet, some of the most important updates had to do with injuries.
Two important injury updates for Michigan football
Michigan football fans have been wondering about the status of defensive back Rod Moore, who is entering his redshirt senior season after missing all of 2024 due to injury.
Two injured Michigan football players will return 'sooner than later'
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) August 25, 2025
Updates on Rod Moore and Hogan Hansen: https://t.co/vH2fgexnHh pic.twitter.com/fKNkb9nxAZ
Rod Moore has been taking part in fall camp but isn't quite 100 percent. The former All-Big Ten safety will be a huge piece of the secondary when he returns, which the Michigan head coach said would be "sooner rather than later."
“That’s to be determined this week,” Moore said on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show about Rod Moore via On3. “He’s working and he’s put on pads, he’s done thud periods and worked. We’re really not trying to rush it, so we’ll see how this week goes, but you’ll definitely see him sooner than later.”
Sherrone Moore also said that tight end Hogan Hansen, who has missed some time this fall, would be able to help the team "sooner rather than later."
Hansen caught seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown last season in a sign of what he could do with a legit quarterback. It feels like he's the best receiver in the tight end room, so his return is needed as soon as possible, especially with Oklahoma looming.