It’s been a long, long time since Michigan football has had Rod Moore on the field, in uniform, making plays. The last time the Wolverines have had the two-time team captain roaming the defensive backfield was on January 8, 2024, in the national championship game against Washington. But after tearing his ACL in spring ball last year, Moore hasn’t just been out, he’s been dealing with setbacks.
For the past two games, Moore was in uniform, but he’s yet to be out on the field for a single snap. That day appears to be approaching soon, according to acting head coach Biff Poggi. As far as his direct position coach, LaMar Morgan, is concerned, he’s just been patiently waiting to have Moore on the field for the first time in his Michigan football coaching tenure.
“Yeah, I’m excited for Rod. He’s been working really hard,” Morgan said. “He’s trying to get a lot of value in practice, trying to get into all the one-on-ones, team reps, and stuff like that. I think him and the medical team and his family have a good plan. And we’re just trying to support him when he’s ready. I think he’s trending in the right direction, being physical, running. His velocity is really good at practice, reps, and stuff like that. So I think he’s trending. I know our team and his teammates are excited to get him back really soon.”
With that in mind, what are the most important attributes that Moore brings to the table in Morgan’s eyes? It isn’t just his playmaking ability — it’s the leadership he provides.
There’s a reason why Moore has been voted a team captain each of the past two years, but Morgan loves what he sees from his fifth-year senior in terms of leadership, holding his teammates accountable, and how he can direct action when he’s on the field.
“I think a kid like him or a young man like him, I just think it’s a calming factor,” Morgan said. “I think when you play safety, just like MIKE linebacker, like how Ernie does, guys like to be on the field with you because they know what’s going on.
“And the communication, he’s like a coach on the field. So I just think you get an extra guy without being an extra green dot on the field that’s really a leader, a great communicator, a tough kid. I just think you get a leader and a role model. And I think a lot of our guys see now he has battled back from the injuries he’s had, did everything he did right, trying to get back. And I just think he has a lot of respect.
“So I just think he can push guys. Sometimes coaches do it all the time. And I think now you just gain an extra guy on the field that can push his teammates by the way he acts and the way he responds to adversity, good or bad plays. I just think he’s kind of what you think about as a Michigan Wolverine defensive back here.”
We’ll see on Saturday if Moore is able to go. The Wolverines travel to Lincoln to face Nebraska for a 3:30 p.m. EDT kickoff at Memorial Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan DB Rod Moore expected to make first appearance since 2024 title run at Nebraska
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
