The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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D E F E N S I V E B A C K S 108 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Rod Moore Is Staying Involved While Recovering From Knee Injury Losing Michigan safety Rod Moore to a noncontact knee injury was not the way the defensive coaches wanted to start the spring, and there's no question it's a blow. At the same time, they and Moore have ensured the senior will remain a huge part of the team since he went down. Moore will likely be a captain for the 2024 Wolverines, and he's doing his part to help his teammates improve in his absence. "Rod has been great; he was out there all day yesterday," defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said in June. "One of the things I've been pushing with him is stay engaged, locked in, get better at studying tape. Study yourself; study others. He's done that. "I said this before, but his love and knowledge of the game is special. … The smartest guy I ever coached on the back end was Eric Weddle [with the Baltimore Ravens], and he has those traits. I'm not saying he's Weddle yet, but Rod has those traits." New secondary coach LaMar Morgan recalled a meeting in which Martindale put Moore on the phone with Weddle, telling his former player, "I've got a guy here that's going to be a really special player just like you." "Weddle said, 'Who the heck is he?'" Morgan recalled. "'I want to talk to him.'" "I'm not going to get into the exact timetable on the long-term with Rod, but I know one thing — whatever is in front of that kid, he'll handle. Whenever he gets back on the field, he'll be better than the last time he was on it, for sure." Moore played huge roles in U-M's last three seasons and wins over Ohio State, including the game-clinch- ing interception in last year's contest. His knack for the ball, big play ability and leadership will be missed. Whatever's next for him, though, Morgan vowed they'd be behind him all the way. "It's hard to lose someone like that, and it's hard to get over it. Right now, we're just trying to be with him at every turn. I hate that he got hurt, but I am really excited about his future," Morgan said. "He's going to be a stud." — Chris Balas back hurry to earn his fourth varsity letter in 2023. "Losing Rod means Makari is going to have to step up more vocally," Martindale said. "Naturally, he's just a quiet kid, but he did a nice job in the spring. Now, we'll see where Wes, 'Q,' and the other safeties all fit in." "Wes" is Wesley Walker, a grad trans- fer from Tennessee who started his career in 2019 at Georgia Tech. He transferred to Tennessee in 2022, briefly moved on to Lou- isville this offseason, and then jumped back into the portal this spring, ultimately end- ing up at Michigan. Walker played well for the Volunteers, notching 36 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception and 5 pass breakups in 2022. He was even better last year, tallying 53 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 2 pass breakups. Per Pro Football Focus, Walker didn't al- low a touchdown on 349 coverage snaps in 2023. "He brings experience, and he's physi- cal," Sherrone Moore praised. "This dude loves to tackle and hit, and he's a really good cover guy. … He's just a dude, and then he's also a leader." "Q," meanwhile, is sixth-year Quinten Johnson, a player who saved his big mo- ments for the biggest games. He recorded 22 tackles in 15 games with 1 interception, 5 pass breakups and a forced fumble in the second half of the Rose Bowl win over Ala- bama that helped turn the game. He also notched a huge hit on Ohio State wide re- ceiver Emeka Egbuka in the third quarter of a win over the Buckeyes that brought the Michigan Stadium crowd to life. Also in the mix at safety are freshman Jacob Oden, a former four-star out of De- troit, UNLV transfer Ricky Johnson III, and Michigan State transfer Jaden Mangham. Of the three, Mangham seems most likely to contribute after a sophomore season at MSU in which he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten with a team-best 4 interceptions and ranked sixth on the team and third among Spartan de- fensive backs with 53 tackles. Finally, the Wolverines will have a few options at nickel back, where Mike Sainristil shined in his last two seasons. As noted, Paige started last year's na- tional title game at the position. McBur- rows is one who has played the position and gotten better each year after missing most of 2021 and the entire 2022 season with an ACL injury. Junior Zeke Berry, though, might be the favorite coming out of spring, an elite athlete whose football skills are now starting to match his physical gifts. "I think he's a stud," Martindale said. "I've got to get him as much confidence in himself as I have in him, but I could say that about a lot of young guys. "He hasn't done it yet, but what I see in him, and what I've already said to him, is he can be an All-Big Ten, All-American type player." The tools are there for a very good sec- ondary, Morgan said this spring, and it's wide open at safety next to Paige. "There's really no depth chart right now," he said. "You've got 'Q' back, you've got B-Hill [sophomore Brandyn Hillman], you've got Zeke Berry. We've got J-Mac [McBurrows] playing some nickel and playing corner. There are young play- ers that are ready to go and reserves that played 30-40 snaps a game. Now they have to step it up. "I have to make sure these guys are ready to represent the university when they get the opportunity to seize it." ❑ STARTERS ★★★★ ★★★★ ½ Will Johnson brings this grade up to four stars on his own. He's one of the best of the best in college football. — On3 ranks him as the No. 8 overall player in the country. Michigan will need someone to complement him on the other side, but that was the case last year. Josh Wallace stepped up, and this season sophomore Jyaire Hill and UAlbany transfer Aamir Hall have the ability. Junior Zeke Berry has made a move at nickel. The transfer portal bolstered safety depth, but veterans Makari Paige and Quinten Johnson gave the Wolverines plenty to work with even before the new additions. Tennessee transfer Wesley Walker and Michigan State defector Jaden Mang- ham are both capable of earning starting spots. DEPTH ★★★ ★★★ ½ This grade rose significantly following the por- tal additions, but there are still question marks, especially at cornerback. Sophomore DJ Waller Jr. appeared in line to start before bolting for Kentucky, leaving questions around the other cor- ner for the second straight year. Safety, though, seems set. Even without Rod Moore (knee injury), the Wolverines seem to have plenty here to give opposing passing offenses fits. OVERALL ★★★★ ★★★★ Replacing Moore, Mike Sainristil, Josh Wallace, and Keon Sabb (transferred to Alabama) won't be easy, but there's a lot of talent here, and the coaches have done a great job filling in the gaps. The corner opposite Will Johnson will be the biggest key here — Wallace was a pleasant and needed surprise last year — as will health. They'll need to avoid injuries. PRESEASON ANALYSIS