Rod Moore's comeback fuels deep Michigan safety unit, PFF's 2026 NFL draft watchlist star
Rod Moore's comeback fuels deep Michigan safety unit, PFF's 2026 NFL draft watchlist star
Michigan football might not be considered a preseason national championship or Big Ten contender entering 2025, but it certainly has some loaded position groups.
The defensive tackle position, in particular, is quite loaded, with six Wolverines who might be considered starting-caliber players in Rayshaun Benny, Tré Williams, Damon Payne, Trey Pierce, Ike Iwunnah, and Enow Etta all set to rotate in the middle of the defensive front. The linebacker corps is increasing in depth, with two starters in Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham, while Jimmy Rolder (considered by the coaches to be a third starter), Cole Sullivan, Jaydon Hood (who was injured in spring ball), and freshmen Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor all in contention.
Just as deep is the safety group, and one Wolverine is being singled out as a player to watch this year with eyes on next year's NFL draft.
Rod Moore is returning in 2025
A team captain, Rod Moore was a mainstay in the defensive backfield in his first three years in Ann Arbor, but the former three-star sustained an ACL tear early in spring ball last year, precluding him from playing in 2024. Though he was thought to potentially be capable of playing late in the season, he suffered a setback and only started running on solid ground this week -- over a year after his injury.
Knowing his potential, PFF put out a list of 10 safeties that fans should know about with eyes on the 2026 NFL draft, and Moore was one of the included players.
Perhaps bittersweet is that former Wolverines safety Keon Sabb -- who had exemplary play in 2023 en route to Michigan's national championship -- is included, but now as an Alabama player. Sabb transferred to Tuscaloosa during the 2024 offseason.
Other safeties are standing out for Michigan
As noted, the safety position is particularly loaded. If Moore takes some time to fully reacclimate to playing at a high level (as was the case following a more minor injury in 2023) there are several other candidates who can help fill that void.
Brandyn Hillman, entering his third year, is expected to start opposite Moore, but Mason Curtis, TJ Metcalf, Tevis Metcalf, and Jaden Mangham are all candidates to be in rotation. The Wolverines also brought in three four-star recruits at the position, with Jordan Young enrolling early and getting a head start as a first-year player, while Kainoa Winston and Elijah Dotson are poised to join the team this summer.
The question for the Wolverines is less in the middle of the defensive backfield, but more on the boundaries. While Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill are expected to start at cornerback for the maize and blue, the depth behind them is a little questionable, if not inexperienced. Second-year corner Jo'Ziah Edmond and true freshman Shamari Earls could be in rotation, but behind them, there are no clear options if Michigan needs to dig deeper into the bench.
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