The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493247
MARCH 2023 THE WOLVERINE 41 P L AY E R BIOS BY EJ HOLLAND Fredrick Moore may only be a three- star prospect, but he definitely doesn't lack in the confidence department — nor should he. Moore had a monster senior campaign, racking up more than 1,500 yards receiv- ing en route to leading St. Louis Cardinal Ritter College Prep to a state title. Still, Moore remains one of the more underval- ued recruits in Michigan's 2023 class. Moore, who enrolled at Michigan in January, has a big chip on his shoulder and is ready to prove any doubter wrong. "I just look at it as motivation," Moore said. "All that rankings talk bites the dust when you get to college. I'm just ready to put my abilities on the line and show why I'm a great player. "Everybody might be thinking I'm a regular three-star, but I feel like I'm a spe- cial gem. I'm going to buy in at Michigan and play with determination." Moore didn't have the most impres- sive offer sheet, but last summer he did pick U-M over Big Ten bunkmates Illinois and Michigan State. Two big factors for Moore were development and getting to showcase his talents on the biggest stage in college football. "Michigan was the right fit for me," Moore said. "Michigan is a winning pro- gram, and that comes with attention. I know I'll be getting development from all the coaches. It's just a great fit for me as a player." Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bel- lamy was always a believer in Moore. Bellamy went down to St. Louis to see him in person during the 2022 spring evaluation period and extended an offer. Moore quickly ascended to the top of the wide receiver board, and the two formed a strong relationship. "Coach Bellamy is a really cool guy," Moore said. "He always shows me love and tells me he's proud of me. But he also shows me what I can do better and what I can tune up in my game. It's really impres- sive to learn from him. He thinks I can be a big value and he'll teach me the Michigan way. I feel like he can show me a lot. I trust him." Michigan, of course, is known as a run-heavy team. The Wolverines have a "smash" mentality that can often scare away elite receivers looking for more pass- happy systems. However, Moore never looked at Michigan's offensive system as a negative. Instead, he embraces it. "You have to make the best of your opportunities," he said. "I know that no receiver is getting 10 catches per game. I always say, 'Don't count your reps, make your reps count.' I feel like I'm a great route runner and can make explosive plays. When you run the ball a lot, it can open up opportunities for you." ❏ 2023 Projection Michigan has multiple wide receivers departing from the roster, so there will be opportunity for Moore to get into the rotation. He is already an advanced route runner and has decent size. However, he must work on being a more consistent pass catcher and improve his speed in order to see the field as a true freshman. Moore helped lead St. Louis Cardinal Ritter to its first Missouri Class 3A state cham- pionship in 2022. He caught 8 passes for 157 yards with 2 touchdowns and added an interception on defense in the title game. PHOTO COURTESY FREDRICK MOORE STATISTICS Year Rec. Yds. TD Return TDs 2022 67 1,504 24 3 2021 41 1,010 12 3 HONORS • Selected as the 2022 Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year by the Missouri Foot- ball Coaches Association (MFCA). • First-team all-state selection by MFCA as a senior (2022). • Also an all-district selection as a senior. • Helped lead Cardinal Ritter to an unde- feated 14-0 campaign his senior year, including its first Missouri Class 3A state championship. • Part of a team that played in three straight state semifinal games (2020-22). RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan on July 1, 2022, after receiving offer in April 2022. • Picked U-M over offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Iowa and Iowa State. • Recruited by U-M safeties coach Jay Harbaugh along with wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. DID YOU KNOW? • Enrolled early at U-M. • Totaled 28 touchdowns his senior year (including 24 receiving, 1 punt return, 2 kickoff return TDs); also had 3 intercep- tions on defense. • In the 2022 state championship game, caught 8 passes for 157 yards with 2 touchdowns and added an interception on defense. Also scored 5 TDs in the state semifinal game. • Also made 7 of 10 extra-point kicks in his senior season. • As a junior, totaled 15 touchdowns (12 receiving, 3 return). • Also lettered in track and field. • Son of Willie Davidson and Elizabeth Moore. • Born Feb. 24, 2005. FREDRICK MOORE WIDE RECEIVER 6-1 • 175 CARDINAL RITTER COLLEGE PREP ST. LOUIS RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 552 81 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 125 19 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 63 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 126 20 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 56 10 consensus St. Louis Receiver Fredrick Moore Is Ready To Make The Most Of His Opportunity THEY SAID IT Cardinal Ritter head coach Brennan Spain: "He's going to fit in at Michigan really well. His ceiling is extremely high. He can add 10-15 pounds. He's explo- sive, long and rangy. He's so aggressive. You don't hear a lot of receivers say this, but he'll tell you he loves to block. He'll crack on the strong safety and wrestle with the linebacker."