ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan football has one fall camp practice down and exactly one month to go until the season opener against Western Michigan at The Big House. And, despite being out for the better part of two years, it's like Rod Moore never left the football field.
A new player to defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who spent the past four years in the same position at BYU, Moore came in and looked vintage in his role, quickly going out and making a play, the way that Hill had seen on his film in the seasons that he was fully healthy.
"Well, it was pretty fun to see Rod Moore out there again today," Hill said. "I think it was his third play and he got an interception. So hopefully that's a phenomenal trend for him. He stood out."
Moore tore
his ACL in spring ball 2024 and, despite seeing some time in three games last year, had some setbacks which saw him shut things down midseason. But in his second appearance, he jumped a route against Wisconsin for a big interception, showcasing that he still has that capability.
Hill says that the Wolverines are being intentional with Moore at the moment, not wanting to rush him in too fast only to see him have yet another setback. Thus, he's getting in a little, and then they'll work him back in more incrementally to ensure that he will be available when the maize and blue host the Broncos. And at this stage, it appears -- albeit after just one practice -- that Moore will be ready for Week 1, should the plan work itself out.
"Yeah, so right now the hope is he just keeps getting better and better and better and better," Hill said. "I don't need him ready to play tomorrow. I need him ready to play here in a couple weeks. So we will put him a little bit on a pitch count. He was out there at practice today, looked really good. I'm hoping tomorrow he's even better, but it's going to be a process in getting him exactly where we want him. And done correctly, I expect him to be there with us."
The Western Michigan game in Week 1 will kick off at Michigan Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EDT with the game set to be broadcast nationally on NBC.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Rod Moore returns to Michigan football practice field
