Derrick Moore expects Michigan defense to get better in 2023

Michigan has made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances under coach Jim Harbaugh, but the Wolverines haven’t been able to figure out the semifinal round just yet. Could the Michigan defense get them over the hump in 2023?

Players feel pretty confident the group can be even better this fall, despite losing defensive linemen Mazi Smith and Mike Morris, as well as cornerback DJ Turner.

“I feel like it’s going to be better than last year,” edge defender Derrick Moore said on the In The Trenches podcast. “We just keep rebuilding each year. We’ve got a lot of guys who came back. Got a lot of older guys who are still here as well. And we’ve got a lot of guys who are in my class and also freshmen who can also step up and play a big role in our defense.”

If Michigan can stay around the same level, the defense should be among the nation’s best. If it gets even better, watch out.

The Wolverines ranked fifth nationally in total defense, seventh in scoring defense, sixth in rushing defense and 20th in passing defense during the 2022 season.

Moreover, there’s some experience coming back at just about every level of the Michigan defense.

“I feel like we’re talented everywhere,” Moore said. “A lot of guys left last year but I really don’t feel that we lost anybody, because wherever we lost somebody we got somebody behind them that’s going to step up. I have full confidence in them that they’re going to do their job and we’re going to be dominant again this year.”

Michigan defense looking for next step

If the Michigan defense is going to take a step forward, ultimately it will need some individual players to continue to improve their game.

Moore is one of those players after playing some as a true freshman. He logged one sack on the season but hopes to get those numbers up in 2023 by making himself into a more versatile player.

“I want to work on being more explosive off the ball. I feel like I can get off more, on the ball. Working some more on my dipping and bending, using my hands better,” Moore said. “Also just playing the 4i better. I struggled with that last season. And also rushing out of the 4i and 3 tech. Because a lot of times we rush out of the 4i and 3 tech, so I just want to be able to rush from both ways.”

Before arriving at Michigan, Moore was one of the most high-profile recruits in the country.

He ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 37 overall recruit in the country in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He checked in as a the No. 5 EDGE and the No. 2 overall player in the state of Maryland, hailing from Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy.