Michigan football writer Tony Garcia ranks the five most important players on the Wolverines' defense in 2026.
Michigan had to replace a pair of starters in the secondary last season when Will Johnson and Makari Paige left for the 2025 NFL Draft and while it brought in veterans like TJ Metcalf and Wesley Walker to fill in as experienced pieces, the DBs clearly missed their leader.
Shortly after former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale arrived in 2024, he compared Rod Moore to NFL All-Pro Eric Weddle in terms of his cognitive ability. While he doesn't wear the "green dot" with the headset to the defensive coordinator, Moore is the quarterback of the back end and ensures his running mates are on the same page and in the right positions.
THE OFFENSE: Ranking Michigan football's 5 most important offensive players in 2026
It was sorely missed the past two seasons, but he's said to be on track for a full return this year. While it remains to be seen where he is athletically after he comes back from multiple knee procedures, Moore's impact on the defense will be felt if he's even able to return to 80% of what he was when he was an All-Big Ten secondary piece in 2023.
#coordinator
Michigan had to replace a pair of starters in the secondary last season when Will Johnson and Makari Paige left for the 2025 NFL Draft and while it brought in veterans like TJ Metcalf and Wesley Walker to fill in as experienced pieces, the DBs clearly missed their leader.
Shortly after former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale arrived in 2024, he compared Rod Moore to NFL All-Pro Eric Weddle in terms of his cognitive ability. While he doesn't wear the "green dot" with the headset to the defensive coordinator, Moore is the quarterback of the back end and ensures his running mates are on the same page and in the right positions.
THE OFFENSE: Ranking Michigan football's 5 most important offensive players in 2026
It was sorely missed the past two seasons, but he's said to be on track for a full return this year. While it remains to be seen where he is athletically after he comes back from multiple knee procedures, Moore's impact on the defense will be felt if he's even able to return to 80% of what he was when he was an All-Big Ten secondary piece in 2023.
#coordinator
5 days ago
