U-M safety Moore on ‘road to recovery’ after leg surgery
Michigan football safety Rod Moore is recovering from surgery.
New defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan confirmed a rumored injury earlier this month when he said Moore would need to go under the knife. Thursday afternoon, the senior defensive back took to social media to state he was on the “road to recovery” and thank his supporters in what appears to be an NFLbound career.
“Just came through surgery and it all went great!” read Moore’s post on X (formerly Twitter). “Wanted to take this time to thank everyone for their love and support. My Michigan brothers, Friends, training staff, coaches, my parents, my family, fans, Dr Ellatrache and Elite Ortho. God First!”
Moore, pictured sitting in a wheelchair in his post, did not clarify what the injury requiring surgery was; the picture, however, shows his left knee with a wrap and a brace around it and crutches in his right hand.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache is the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Rams; his numerous sports surgeries include treatment of Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal’s flexor tendon in his left arm in 2022.
It’s not yet clear if Moore will return this season.
“I think we’ll see what it is,” head coach Sherrone Moore said earlier this week. “I’m not a doctor. I was asked how fast that is and what the process is, but hopeful, hopeful that (he can come back this season).”
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Moore has played in 37 career games (with 27 starts), including last season when he finished with 38 tackles (with one for loss) and a pair of interceptions.
He appeared likely to declare for the 2024 NFL draft, but instead opted to come back to U-M for a final year (along with fellow safety Makari Paige). Since that decision, however, U-M’s secondary depth has taken a hit, with Keon Sabb (to Alabama) and DJ Waller Jr. opting to transfer.
LB Beasley in transfer portal before start of freshman year
Jeremiah Beasley, a four-star freshman from Belleville, who enrolled early in December has put his name in the transfer portal before ever suiting up for the Wolverines.
Beasley, a four-star prospect per 247 Sports’ composite rankings, was rated the No. 31 linebacker in the country and the No. 8 player in the state when he chose the Wolverines over Michigan State, where he was considered a lean for many months.
He was one of a handful of Wolverines to join the team over the winter, when he was able to dress for bowl practices and join the team on
trips to Pasadena, California, for Michigan’s College Football Playoff semifinal win in the Rose Bowl and the CFP championship game in Houston.
U-M’s linebacker room under new coach Brian Jean-Mary is rather deep, featuring projected starters Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham (a transfer from Maryland) and depth pieces — presumably ahead of Beasley — in Semaj Bridgeman, Jaydon Hood, Micah Pollard and Jimmy Rolder.
The NCAA’s spring portal transfer window opened on April 15 and closes on Tuesday.
DB Waller kicks off portal parade
DJ Waller Jr., a 6-foot-3, 205-pounder who had drawn rave reviews during spring practice from coaches and players alike, put his name in the transfer portal on Wednesday, a program spokesman confirmed to the Free Press.
The sophomore cornerback was among the favorites to start opposite standout Will Johnson and had an impressive showing in last Saturday’s spring game, when the Maize team topped the Blue team, 17-7, in the 15th and final practice of spring ball.
Now, it’s Waller on the way out. The threestar recruit hails from Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio — the hometown of former defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, who was Waller’s primary recruiter before he left to follow former head coach Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Waller recorded 12 tackles and one pass breakup last season and was seen as one of the favorites to start this season, in competition with fellow sophomore Jyaire Hill.
OL Herring in portal after freshman season
Amir Herring, a former four-star offensive lineman from West Bloomfield who played one game for U-M last season, is in the portal, a program spokesman confirmed to the Free Press on Thursday.
Herring, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound interior lineman, was high school teammates with current U-M wide receiver Semaj Morgan. Unlike the standout pass catcher, however, Herring wasn’t able to break into the playing rotation.
Stuck behind possibly the deepest offensive line in America, Herring played one snap at right guard on Oct. 14 against Indiana. He arrived in Ann Arbor as the nation’s No. 287 recruit, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, as well as the No. 14 interior offensive lineman recruit and the state’s No. 4 player.
Herring, who enrolled early in December 2022, was not mentioned frequently by coaches this spring as a potential starting option; Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe and senior Giovanni El-Hadi are the presumed favorites at guard , with Greg Crippen at center. Jeff Persi and Tristan Bounds are seen as interior depth at guard.