Speaking with Jon Jansen, Michigan DC Wink Martindale provided updates on Michigan’s defense and specific players, including Rod Moore, whose road to recovery could take until the fall to complete:
Despite losing several key players from their defense, expectations are high for the Michigan Wolverines entering 2025. With the return of multiple experienced players at all three levels, every position coach and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale back at the helm, there are some who think this defense could be even better.
However, this optimism is heavily contingent on the health of returning star safety Rod Moore. Speaking on the In the Trenches podcast with Jon Jansen, Martindale provided an update on Moore’s road to recovery, and it doesn’t appear Moore is going to be ready for spring camp, which starts in two weeks.
“It’s gonna be a wait-and-see with him on how fast he can come back,” Martindale said. “I don’t think he’s run in 14 months, and that’s a long time to be off … but he’s a great guy, and we’re looking for him to come back. He’s gotta come back on his terms when he’s ready to go.”
This update will undoubtedly be discouraging to fans who were hoping to see Moore suit up this spring. With every passing day, Moore will have to overcome the mental roadblocks (i.e., Derrick Rose) as much as the physical challenges in order to return to the field. It now appears Moore’s absence will stretch into the summer, and it will likely be the fall until Moore has the winged helmet and full pads back on.
Moore, who missed all of last year after tearing his ACL last spring, was projected to be one of the best defensive backs in the country and a likely All-American ahead of the 2024 season. In his first three seasons in Ann Arbor, Moore registered 141 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and six interceptions.
He has been largely unheralded in terms of accolades — third-team All-Big Ten (Coaches) is his highest individual honor — but Moore’s play is why box scores cannot be relied upon to tell the story.
In terms of play, Moore is a football savant and is a peer with any former great Michigan safety as far as impact goes. His football film study helped expedite his development and transformed him into an unofficial player/coach on the field. This goes a long way in explaining why he was still voted a team captain last season. His study habits have been publicly praised by multiple coaches, including former head coach Jim Harbaugh, who raved about Moore before his sophomore season.
To better understand his preparation, look no further than the final defensive play against Ohio State in 2023. Moore recognized the Buckeyes’ concept as if he were in the huddle, jumped Marvin Harrison Jr.’s route and secured the win with one of the most important interceptions in program history.
For Michigan’s defense to be good next season, the team needs Rod Moore the coach. For the team unit to be great and return Michigan to the national title picture, the Wolverines need Rod Moore the player.