The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ D E F E N S I V E B AC K S ] 108 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW that required surgery and kept him out this spring. Before the setback, he was showing great promise as a cover corner, notching 2 tackles and a pass break-up in four games. Senior wide receiver Mike Sainristil, however, was the story in the secondary this spring. The two-way player will see action at nickel corner and more after impressing with his cover skills. "Mikey's a dog. I really like Mikey," Clinkscale said. "Mikey is very instinc- tual. … He's a physical player. … And I think playing on offense has helped him understand how they're going to attack that [nickel] position." At safety, losing Hawkins and Hill would be cause for alarm in many years. With Rod Moore and R.J. Moten, though, the Wol- verines have two players who gained significant experience in the secondary last season. The 6-0, 221-pound Moten emerged out of nowhere his second season after playing on special teams in only one game his first fall. He started five games at safety, notching 34 tackles and 3 pass break-ups, and also picked off a throw. He had an outstanding spring, not only physically but also in becoming more of a vocal leader. Hawkins left big shoes to fill, but the junior made huge strides in the back half of the Wolverines' de- fense, per observers. "I always loved R.J. Mo- ten. I love two-sport athletes," Karsch said. "Given that he came here and dabbled in baseball, that speaks to the kind of athlete he is. He's a guy that needs to step up even more this year. He might be the next great one." Moore, meanwhile, missed spring ball af- ter undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, but he's expected back and healthy by fall camp. The sophomore was one of the big surprises in the 2021 recruiting class as a true freshman, showing a nose for the ball and a toughness to play bigger than his 6-0, 173-pound frame. Moore saved his best for home-state Ohio State with 9 tackles in a 42-27 Michigan blowout victory. He started four of the 11 games in which he appeared, beginning with a Nov. 13 contest at Penn State (6 tackles) and also played on special teams, recording 32 total tackles. He's expected to take a big step forward this fall and should be a stalwart in the Michigan secondary for the next few years. "Rod Moore is like a coach back there," Karsch said. "All the Rod Moore stories I hear are amazing in terms of this kid and his preparation. Somebody told me he doubled everybody's prep time on the iPad last fall, that he watched more film than anybody else, almost by two-fold." A Michigan coach told Karsch of a big play in a key game down the stretch last year that even veterans might have a hard time sniffing out. Moore made a break-up on third down that ended a threat and led the Wolverines to a big victory. He recognized the formation, knew what was coming and blew it up. "The point here is, even if you aren't a five-star ath- lete, you can have five-star results if you are elite at something," Karsch added. "He looks like he has the work ethic and the football instincts to be an elite safety with those kinds of plays as a freshman." Junior Makari Paige (6-3, 192) took many of Moore's reps in the spring and impressed coaches with his play in March. He was solid in fall camp last year, but when game time came around, he just didn't meet expectations. When John Harbaugh got his first head-coaching gig with the Baltimore Ravens, he'd already been around the block. From college to the pros, he'd cut his teeth and earned his stripes at every position. That he has a nephew following his path isn't at all surprising. Like the entire Harbaugh family, Jay Harbaugh continues to work hard and pay his dues wher- ever he's asked to coach. At Michigan, that's been tight ends, running backs and now safeties, and he's also headed up U-M's special teams. "It reminds me of the résumé of my brother John, who coached linebackers, tight ends, running backs, special teams and the secondary," head coach Jim Harbaugh said this spring. "He's building that same type of resume. "I've been really impressed as a dad and as a coach. The way he's coached, how he's recruited … the loyalty to Michigan and to the football program. I think it's been phenomenal. "He's done it all under a nepotism type of environment, too. You're Coach Harbaugh, you're Jim's son. Automatically, what goes off in everybody's mind is, 'He's just here because he's my son.'" That's been proven false several times over. Not only have his position groups played well, but the younger Harbaugh has also excelled as a recruiter and in identifying talent. Those close to the program believe he'll be just as effective in his new role as safeties coach. "The only thing I have to go on is everywhere Jay's been, he's been success- ful," Michigan radio play-by-play man Doug Karsch said. "He's a great recruiter, and he obviously puts the time in. Kids love him. You have faith in him wherever he's coached. "This is his fourth position group at Michigan. Everywhere he's been, he's been able to do it. If anybody has access to the best in the game and can pick up a phone and can call anybody for advice on having coached any position, it would be a Harbaugh, right? "I think he'll do well there." Recent history indicates Karsch is spot on. Jay's father — one of the most proven judges of coaching talent there's been in the game the last few decades — obviously believes so, too. — Chris Balas Rod Moore started four of the last five games at safety in 2021. He finished his freshman season with 32 tackles, 21 of which were solo stops. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL High Expectations For Jay Harbaugh As Safeties Coach