Michigan Wolverines Commit Rod Moore Talks SI All-American Candidacy

This offseason, Michigan commit Rod Moore says he is working on adding weight as he builds his relationship with other U-M pledges.

Back in May, Clayton (Ohio) Northmont safety Rod Moore capped off a big recruiting weekend for Michigan as the second prospect to pick the Wolverines in a two day span, following linebacker Tyler McLaurin's U-M pledge from a day earlier.

Since that time, Moore has watched seven other 2021 recruits join the Michigan class, a group which currently sits at No. 6 in the country according to Rivals.com. And along with several of his classmates, Moore was named an SI All-American candidate last week.

“I was in a wow because that says something and means something big for me to get selected as an All-American candidate along with Sports Illustrated through the whole country,” Moore told Wolverine Digest.

Moore's teammate, wide receiver Markus Allen, was also selected as an All-American candidate as well and helps underscore the quality and depth of U-M's recruiting class. Currently, Michigan has nine offensive pledges, 10 defense commits and a special teams player in the fold in what is a fairly well balanced group of prospects.

“Our 2021 class is full of great and talented players,” Moore said. “Our relationships with each other are building up, and our bonds are getting tighter with one another.”

And just as Moore is learning about his Michigan classmates, the senior defensive back is traversing the same waters with his future position coach.

“My relationship with Coach [Bob] Shoop is great and getting better,” Moore said. “He texts me almost every morning something about Michigan, whether it's academics or football. We talk on the phone at least once a week or every other week. He's a really good coach, and I can tell he has my best interest and he is very straight up and tells me how it is. He wants the best for me also.”

According to Moore, putting his best foot forward during the offseason consists of steady work in the weight room to add muscle, strength and pack on a bit of weight.

“My offseason has been going really good,” Moore said. “It's really different from the past with no camps and then also no visits made it different too. We've been practicing together as a team for about a month, and that's also very different with social distancing.”

SI All-American has Moore listed at 185 pounds, which is not far off from where the Michigan commit could play at once he gets to college. Here is a look at his breakdown:

Frame: Room to add slightly more muscle, but Moore will be built solidly at 190-200 pounds.

Athleticism: Moore is a fluid, smooth, fast athlete. Sufficient speed to get anywhere on the field that he needs to, acceleration to make breaks, and loose hips to react quickly.

Instincts: Moore is at his best playing at free safety, reading the quarterback, and making him pay for mistakes. Breaks on the ball well, good ball skills, and good awareness of players around him.

Polish: A versatile safety prospect, Moore is at his best playing free safety, where he is very polished. Moore moves with the play and shows good technique in his tackling, man coverage, and his zone coverage.

Bottom Line: Moore is a Power 5 ready free safety. He supports the run well, has the size and form to tackle bigger backs well, can take slot receivers in one-on-one coverage, and is a terror roaming the middle of the field at free safety. Has a knack for creating turnovers whether by interception or forcing fumbles. Moore is a candidate to play or even start early and should also factor into the return man conversation.

Moore is the only safety commit for Michigan at the moment, so U-M is likely to add another player at the position before wrapping up the 2021 class.

What are your thoughts on the pair of 2021 prospects committed from Northmont HS in Rod Moore and Markus Allen? Do you see the dual-sport athlete who also runs track as more of a strong safety or free safety at the next level? Let us know!