Michigan safety Rod Moore is forgoing the NFL Draft and is returning to Ann Arbor! Moore did not play in 2024 due to injury, but he’ll have the opportunity to beat Ohio State Buckeyes for a fifth straight year:
He’s baaaaack.
Michigan safety Rod Moore is forgoing the 2025 NFL Draft and is returning to Ann Arbor for his fifth and final season of collegiate eligibility.
Moore was unable to suit up during the 2024 season due to a torn ACL he sustained during spring practice, but he still worked behind the scenes as a mentor for the defensive backs.
Back in October, Moore shared on the In The Trenches podcast he hit a rough patch during his recovery and left the door open for a return to Michigan in 2025.
“If I ever got to play again, either this year or next year if I come back, the amount of plays that I could make — just by what I know, I’ll get,” Moore said. “It’s different when you know what you’re going to get because you know what you’re going to get. You play faster. You don’t second guess yourself. I think I’ll play a lot better when I’m able to play again.”
Moore has been a significant contributor since his true freshman season in 2021. The Ohio native played in 11 games that year with four starts, chipping in 32 tackles and one pass break up. He followed that up with a stellar sophomore season in which he racked up 71 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry, seven pass breakups and a team-high four interceptions.
He missed three games due to an injury in 2023, but still had 38 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, five pass breakups and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was probably the biggest play of Moore’s career, as he picked off Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord on the Buckeyes’ final drive to clinch the win for Michigan.
Rod Moore picks it to seal No. 3 @UMichFootball ‘s third straight win over No. 2 Ohio State.
: FOX/@CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/46TyWjNN1j
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 25, 2023
Moore returning to Ann Arbor is huge news for the Wolverines. With Michigan losing Will Johnson, Makari Paige, Aamir Hall, Quinten Johnson and Wesley Walker this offseason, having a veteran presence in the secondary will be vital for the new-look group in 2025. It will also undoubtedly help boost back the draft stock he lost during his recovery.
On top of all that, he will get the chance to beat his hometown Buckeyes one final time. Going 5-0 against Ohio State is incredibly challenging, but Moore will have a prime opportunity to do just that next fall.
Welcome back to Ann Arbor, Rod!