Tag: Derrick Moore

2023 Season Countdown: #27 Derrick Moore

Name: Derrick Moore
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 258 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Defensive end
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #8
Last year: I ranked Moore #72 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 83

Moore showed up bigger last season than some expected and was listed at 279 pounds. He filled in nicely as a backup defensive end and showed a nice burst despite the extra weight, making 2 total sacks, which is a nice showing for a freshman. His sacks came in mop-up duty against Maryland and Indiana, but they’re sacks nonetheless, and he had some impressive stops in the run game, too.

This season Moore is down to a listed 258 pounds, and I have to assume the strength and conditioning staff planned the cut (along with the coaches). Michigan did not generate a ton of pass rush off the edge last season, and leading sacker Mike Morris – who is playing some defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks now – was more of a bull rush specialist. Morris’s weight loss may be an attempt by the Wolverines to get a little more explosive when going after the quarterback. I expect Moore to be a backup to Braiden McGregor, and I expect him to start to emerge as a player Michigan fans can get excited about over the next couple years.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

Thoughts on 2023 Spring Game

Okay, it’s time to put some thoughts about the spring game on paper.

QUARTERBACK: We know what J.J. McCarthy brings to the table, and Michigan was never going to let him factor into the run game, so whatever. This comes down to thoughts on the backups. After watching Michigan have a good 1-2 punch the past two years with McCarthy and Cade McNamara, there is a big question mark at the #2 quarterback spot in 2023. I thought redshirt sophomore Davis Warren once again outplayed the competition, which comes from Alex Orji and Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle. Tuttle had a couple decent throws and showed some decent athleticism on the run, but Warren is more accurate and probably a better decision maker, despite the fact that Tuttle is a sixth-year player. Orji has decent arm strength but leaves something to be desired when it comes to his timing and accuracy; running is the best part of his game, and he’s a change-up guy. I would put him at #4 on the depth chart.

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan 56, Hawaii 10

Hello, J.J. McCarthy. Well, McCarthy didn’t wait too long to stake his claim for the starting quarterback job. He completed 11/12 passes for 229 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions while rushing 1 time for 16 yards. His first pass was a 42-yard bomb to Roman Wilson for a touchdown, and he didn’t really slow down after that. Every pass was accurate, even a crisp RPO slant to Ronnie Bell that accounted for McCarthy’s lone incompletion. It was an excellent starting debut against an atrocious team.

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2022 Season Countdown: #72 Derrick Moore

Name: Derrick Moore
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #8
Last year: Moore was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 55 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks.
TTB Rating: 78 83

Moore was a long-time target of Michigan’s last cycle, but he made Michigan fans sweat it out until the end. The program has a connection to St. Frances since former head coach Biff Poggi is on staff in Ann Arbor. Moore eventually signed with the Wolverines on National Signing Day and then enrolled in January after being named the Under Armour All-American Game’s Player of the Game.

Moore should be able to contribute fairly early in his career at Michigan, but it’s usually a struggle for true freshmen on the defensive line since strength and physical maturity are such big factors. I think he is a good enough prospect to start getting some snaps in 2022, while Michigan prepares for the potential departures of Mike Morris, Julius Welschof, and Taylor Upshaw, all of whom could leave after this upcoming season.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

How Does the 2022 Class Match Up with Michigan’s All-Time Recruits?

Thanks to Ashley, Eric, Joe, and Stephen for the recent Paypal donations.

As much as we like to get excited about every single Michigan recruit, it’s important to keep perspective and realize that not every one of these players will be destined for stardom. This exercise can give us a range of what to expect from some of these players, even though star rankings can be very wrong.

Will Johnson – CB – Grosse Pointe (MI) South
2022 ranking: #14
Historical ranking: tied for #9 all-time at Michigan
Tied with: S Daxton Hill (2019) and DE LaMarr Woodley (2003)
Closest positional comparisons: Jabrill Peppers (#3 in 2014) and Donovan Warren (#27 in 2007)

Derrick Moore – DE – Baltimore (MD) St. Francis
2022 ranking: #49
Historical ranking: tied for #37 all-time at Michigan
Tied with: OG Kyle Kalis (2012) and RB Ty Isaac (2013)
Closest positional comparisons: Pierre Woods (#43 in 2001) and Luiji Vilain (#56 in 2017)

Keon Sabb – S – Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
2022 ranking: #84
Historical ranking: #64 all-time at Michigan
Flanked by: OT Cory Zirbel (#83 in 2005) and #87 Kyle Bosch (2013)
Closest positional comparisons: Michael Williams (#72 in 2007) and Demar Dorsey (#87 in 2010)

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