It’s been a long, and at times, treacherous road back to playing football for Michigan Wolverines safety Rod Moore. Moore last played in a game over 600 days ago — 0n Jan. 8, 2024, which was Michigan’s National Championship win over the Washington Huskies.
Moore tore his ACL and meniscus in March 2024 and then had a setback that required a second surgery because his meniscus didn’t heal properly. While
there were trials and tribulations for Moore, there is light at the end of the tunnel and Moore is finally nearing his return to game action.
Moore was able to suit up and warm up against the Oklahoma Sooners last Saturday and was listed as questionable, but didn’t play in the game. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore is more optimistic about Rod Moore’s chances of playing on Saturday against the Central Michigan Chippewas, saying there’s a “high probability” of it happening.
“We think there’s a good chance that Rod could play this week,” coach Moore said. “We’ve been very cautious with him. No one knows their body like Rod does. And he wanted to play in that game, believe me. And just the timeline of what we said and how we wanted to do it wasn’t where we fit.”
Moore, a two-time team captain, was an integral part of Michigan’s national championship defense. Moore was often clutch, with no play being greater than his game-sealing interception against Ohio State in a 30-24 win in 2024. In all, Moore, a fifth-year senior, has started in 28 games for Michigan while tallying 141 tackles, six interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his college career. Michigan’s secondary scuffled against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer in a 24-13 loss and Moore’s presence will help thwart off deep shots in games to come.
Moore’s comeback carries emotional weight for his teammates. His inspiring on-field play as well as his ability to lead his peers makes Moore’s return to action important.
“Seeing his journey where he was and where he is now, running again, just makes me happy, because he’s like a mentor to me,” Michigan cornerback Zeke Berry said in August.
Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan is optimistic Moore will be ready to roll upon his return.
“I think Rod will be fine,” Morgan said in August. “I think when you’re wired that way, he’s going to figure it out. He’s moving around, doing good things at practice, communicating, making the checks and stuff like that. I just think you owe it to a kid that’s done everything right while he’s been here, just made a lot of (people) proud, a lot of wins, iconic player here, and he still has another year. I just think you’ve got to do right by him.
For Moore, he’s been visualizing his return and wondering how he’ll feel when that moment comes.
“I know I’ll probably cry before that first game,” Moore said. “I sit there probably every day just sitting [and wondering] what is it gonna be like when I wake up and I know I’m about to play again? I don’t know. It’s a lot of energy, a lot of built-up emotions that I can’t even put into words that’ll be getting released on that day.”
That day could come on Saturday and represents a comeback story in which the Michigan fanbase, just like Moore, has eagerly anticipated. Whether Moore has a lights out game in his return or not, it’ll be a special day day for the 22-year-old safety.
