Michigan Football safety Rod Moore’s race against the clock

Michigan safety Rod Moore recently began running for the first time following a 14-month recovery from an ACL tear. But with the season fast approaching, his return remains uncertain:

Welcome to Michigan Musings! Every Monday – at least until the start of football season – this will serve as your prime source for all things Michigan Wolverines ; a weekly digest featuring thoughts and commentary on (mostly) the top stories from the week that was. Similar to a newsletter (Brewsletter?), this will feature an assortment of stories and opinions from football to basketball to hockey to pop culture and everything in between.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive in.

Rod Moore’s Race Against the Clock

Last week, Michigan safety Rod Moore posted an Instagram story of himself running on hard ground for the first time in 14 months. The photo was resoundingly received as positive, literal steps in the right direction. And while undeniably an encouraging moment for a young man continuing to overcome adversity, a cold reality is starting to set in: Moore may not play this season.

This isn’t hate or shade, Moore is my favorite player on the roster. I was unofficially the first to crown him “God Moore” (much to the chagrin of the more pious maize and blue fans) in 2021 and considered my myself a disciple of his game. When healthy, Moore is the best safety in college football and has reached this level in a non-traditional way.

Pre-injury, Moore appeared to be Tom Curtis reincarnated. Fans of Michigan history know this name with the same reverence as Fielding Yost or Charles Woodson. But for those not in the know, Curtis is the best safety in program history. His 25 career interceptions in three seasons is still a program record, and this was accomplished in an era where 15 passes per game was considered an air raid attack. While Moore was never going to catch Curtis’ absurd production, the stylistic parallels in their games are glaring.

Both players had similar slightly undersized builds, and decent but limited athleticism. Neither player possessed the natural physical gifts of fellow great Michigan safeties Thom Darden, Dave Brown or Tripp Welborne, but what separated both of them from their peers was their cerebral nature on the field.

Curtis and Moore both play with a doctoral understanding of route concepts. A photographic memory of tendencies and player keys, and a coach’s grasp of offensive approaches. This allowed Moore, like Curtis, to play football like a chess master — constantly two moves ahead and focused on winning while opponents struggled to see the battlefield.

Look no further than Moore’s game-winning interception against Ohio State in 2023. He instantly recognized the Buckeyes returning to one of their favorite plays, jumped the route, and “called game” to propel the Wolverines into the postseason.

Moore was reading defenses with the same ease as NARPs (Non-Athletic Regular People) solving five times five. The game was second nature to Moore at this point and his individual play bordered on clairvoyance. Most expected him to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft following Michigan’s national championship, but Moore opted to return. However, less than three months after claiming the sport’s ultimate prize, everything changed.

On March 25, 2024, it was reported that Moore tore his ACL at practice. That was 420 days ago. Now, Moore only has 103 days to be ready for the season; 110 days to be ready for Oklahoma; 194 days to be ready to beat Ohio State.

Fortunately, Moore has never relied on his athleticism to play at an All-American level. But he will need to be confident in his knee if he is going to continue to play instinctually and several moves ahead.

Last week was a step in the right direction, but Moore still has a long way to go before he’s “calling game” again. With every passing day, it feels increasingly likely Moore will not take the field this season, and perhaps we have already seen his final play in a Michigan uniform. But ultimately, who am I to count out a God?