The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
D E F E N S I V E B A C K S 106 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan trots out no lack of tal- ent in the defensive backfield. It also brings with it a few big ques- tions that could linger through the summer months and into the early part of the 2025 football season. The biggest might involve graduate free safety Rod Moore, lost to the Wolverines a year ago in spring practice. He's under- gone two surgeries and an extensive reha- bilitation of his knee, and reports in late spring were encouraging, regarding his movement and prospects. But the ques- tion remains — can he be the dominant Rod Moore of the national championship season and before? The coach-on-the- field, hard-hitting, make-the-key-in- terception-to-finish-off-the-Buckeyes Rod Moore? Maybe. The true test comes in the fall, when the Wolverines ride into Norman, Okla., for an early season showdown with the Sooners. Has junior cornerback Jyaire Hill taken the next steps at his spot, becoming less big-play susceptible and more dominant? Maybe. Can someone like sophomore Tevis Metcalf step into the nickel position and give the Wolverines a game changer in terms of coverage and playmaking? Or if not, can one of the host of Michigan players who got a shot in the spring do the same? To be announced. Check back in early September. It's not like DBs coach LaMar Morgan is dealing with a burned-toast backfield. Several other up-and-comers return from a crew that went down to Colum- bus last November and handcuffed an explosive Ohio State offense to 10 points, picking off a pair of passes along the way. GROWING TOGETHER Secondary Features Hard Hitters With A Point To Prove [FYI] ❱ A returning captain, graduate safety Rod Moore missed the entire 2024 season with an ACL injury but remained an engaged leader throughout. He's back for his fifth year of college football and brings experience and game-changing ability to the secondary. Known for his game-sealing interception against Ohio State in 2023, Moore has recorded 141 tackles, includ- ing 90 solo, 6 interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his 37-game career on defense. Heading into the 2025 campaign, PFF named him the eighth-best returning safety in the country and No. 4 in the Big Ten. ❱ With Will Johnson coming off the board at No. 47 overall in the second round to the Arizona Cardinals, Michigan has had a cornerback drafted in three straight years. Johnson joined Mike Sainristil (second round in 2024) and DJ Turner (second round in 2023). The Maize and Blue have had seven cornerbacks chosen in the draft over the last 10 years. ❱ The pass defense improved throughout the 2024 season and went to another level in Michigan's three-game winning streak to end the year. After opponents had completed 62.1 percent of their passes for 232.8 yards per game and 6.7 yards per attempt in the first 10 out- ings, Northwestern, Ohio State and Alabama combined to connect on only 52.2 percent of their throws with 161.3 yards per game and 5.4 yards per attempt. In the final three contests, Michigan hauled in 5 interceptions, compared to 7 in the first 10 clashes. ❱ U-M has relied on DB transfers to play prominent roles each of the last two seasons, and it will be the case again this year with the additions of junior safety TJ Metcalf and sophomore cor- nerback Tevis Metcalf. In 2023, former UMass cornerback Josh Wallace started 11 games and made 33 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble while helping the Maize and Blue win 15 games and the national championship. In 2024, Albany transfer Aamir Hall was a key backup most of the year before starting five of the last six games and coming up with interceptions in back-to-back weeks against Northwestern and Ohio State. Hall registered 38 tackles with 2.5 for loss and 1 sack, along with 6 pass breakups. U-M also had Tennessee safety transfer Wesley Walker, who played 340 defensive snaps (13th on team) and recorded 32 tackles and 1 pass breakup on the year and a big interception against Alabama. Juniors Jyaire Hill (20) and Brandyn Hillman (6) are both primed to make an impact this fall. Hill, a cornerback, start- ed nine of 12 games played a year ago with 5.5 tackles for loss among his 35 total tackles. Hillman, known for being a big hitter at safety, tallied 21 tackles in 12 games. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL