Michigan S Rod Moore is going back to No. 19, the number he wore his freshman and sophomore years. With his return from injury on the horizon, the number switch feels like a reset, and a reminder of what’s still left to prove:
After two seasons wearing No. 9 for the Michigan Wolverines , veteran safety Rod Moore is going back to a familiar number for his final year of college football.
The fifth-year senior will wear No. 19 this fall, the same number he wore during his breakout freshman campaign in 2021 and his sophomore season in 2022. Moore posted about the news on his Instagram story on Wednesday afternoon. He also teased about it on his Twitter account on Tuesday.
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— Rod moore 9️⃣4L (@Rodmoorejr) July 22, 2025
The move feels a bit symbolic in a way, as Moore is looking to bounce back from a torn ACL he suffered in spring ball last year. The switch could reflect his mindset going into what may be the most challenging season of his career — one where he’s fighting not only to return to full health, but to leave a lasting impact on the program before heading to the NFL. Going back to No. 19 is both a nod to where he started and a statement of unfinished business.
Moore told Maize n Brew earlier this week that he is at 85 percent health right now and hopes to be ready for when the season kicks off on Aug. 30 against New Mexico.
“Recovery is going pretty good, I’m probably about 85 percent right now,” Moore said. “Kinda little bumps in the road that I had during my recovery from the start, so it’s kinda taking longer than expected. But I think I’ll be ready for the season this year. I’ll for sure be playing, it’s just a matter of how long it takes me to get back to 100 percent.”
Moore has been a staple in the Wolverines’ secondary and has played a major role in the team making three straight College Football Playoffs, as well as winning the national championship in 2023. His football IQ, versatility and leadership have made him one of the most respected defenders in the program, and his return — both in his jersey number and (eventually) on the field — will be welcomed by Michigan’s coaching staff and fans alike.
Wearing No. 19 again may feel like a fresh start following a long, tiring recovery process, but it also connects Moore to the foundation he helped build in Ann Arbor going back to his true freshman year in 2021. Seeing Moore patrol the secondary for the Wolverines in his original jersey number is going to be a sight for sore eyes.