Michigan's Rod Moore details ACL recovery, feels 'the best' he has felt

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It has been a long journey to recovery for now-sixth-year Michigan football safety Rod Moore. After missing all of what was supposed to be his senior season, having torn his ACL in spring ball practice in 2024, Moore returned to the field, albeit briefly -- for three games -- in 2025.

He came in for the first time against Nebraska in Week 4, nearly two years after his final snap in his junior season, and then really put on a show the following week against Wisconsin. Having come down with an interception, it had appeared as if vintage Moore was returning. But he had just one more game in him after that before he shut it down yet again.

The NCAA granted his sixth season, but even so, there have been a lot of Michigan fans who think they've maybe seen the last of the enigmatic defensive back. However, to hear him tell it, he's better than he's been since his initial injury. "I still was feeling pain -- whatever," Moore said.

"I had got, before the Wisconsin game, I got, like, what was it? I want to say it was a cortisone injection two days before the game. I didn't practice that whole week.