Analyst Says One Michigan Football Player Got Snubbed From Top-100 Player Rankings

The Wolverines didn't have anyone featured in ESPN's top 100 rankings, but Adam Rittenberg says one player could've made the list.

Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Recently, ESPN named the top 100 players following the conclusion of the college football season. The Wolverines didn't have any players ranked inside the top 100. Injuries derailed the season of a few players.

RB Justice Haynes would have been undoubtedly a top-100 player if he didn't suffer a midseason injury they sideline him the rest of the season. Haynes ran for over 100 yards in six of the seven games he played in. Jordan Marshall had a similar fate. After taking a backseat to Haynes, Marshall landed the top spot after Haynes suffered his injury. Despite getting hurt and not finishing the season, Marshall still ran for 932 yards and 10 scores.

RELATED: Michigan to Face Five Former Wolverines Who Departed the Program in 2026

But one Michigan player that ESPN's Adam Rittenberg pointed out who could've made the top-100 list was edge rusher Derrick Moore. The senior quietly had a big year for Michigan that resulted in a career high 10 sacks and 10.5 TFLs.

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore was among the players we considered for the last few spots in the top 100. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches after leading the Wolverines in sacks (10) and forced fumbles (2). He finished fourth in the Big Ten in sacks and really thrived during a five-game stretch between Oct. 4 and Nov. 1, recording a combined seven sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery."

Moore's career at Michigan

Moore is off to the NFL Draft, where he will be selected come April. He wrapped up his Michigan career playing in 53 games over four years with the Wolverines.

Moore recorded 95 career tackles, 24.5 TFLs, and 21 sacks. He was a three-time All-Big Ten Honoree — first-team in 2025 — and was voted as a team captain ahead of the 2025 season.

The Maryland product played a pivotal role for Michigan in 2023, when the Wolverines went on to win a national title. He was on the field for the final play against Alabama and played in all 15 games for Michigan that season.

Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

— Sign up for the Michigan Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage fromMichigan Wolverines on SI —

• Dusty May Shares How Michigan Star Yaxel Lendeborg Has Looked 'More Explosive'=
• Incoming Michigan Football Transfer Named Top-50 Player by ESPN
• Michigan's Top-10 Games vs Nebraska, Michigan State is What They've 'Been Waiting' On
• Analyst Says One Team Has Michigan Football Circled For 2026 Season
• Joel Klatt Ranks Michigan Football Inside Top 10 in Too Early 2026 Rankings