Derrick Moore shares elements of Michigan, NFL legends he watches on tape

Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore is looking to be the next great pass rusher sporting the maize and blue as he enters his second season with the program. Thankfully, he’s had many other great Wolverines to watch and learn from in recent history who have had success in his position.

From Aidan Hutchinson to David Ojabo and Mike Morris, Moore has taken pieces of their game and tried to translate it to his own, which he spoke about on the ‘In the Trenches with Jon Jansen’ podcast.

“So I watch all of them differently, so with Aidan I try to watch his get off. If you watch Aidan and you see how the way he gets off the ball he times it up real good and he’s real explosive off the ball. Ojabo, I like the way how Ojabo can dip around, so I started working with my dipping and bending more. Mike Mo, Mike Mo can play outside, three-tech, cause he’s more bigger and leaner, which is the same as me,” Moore explained. “So I kind of just try to use different moves that Mike Mo used and a lot of things he also taught me from last year.”

Moore has been taking notes from some of Michigan’s recent greats, who’ve not only been productive and effective during their time in Ann Arbor, but have all heard their name called in the NFL Draft.

Moore is likely looking at attaining the same success, taking his skills from Saturdays to Sundays when his career is done at Michigan. But for now, the sophomore from Baltimore, Maryland watches some of the NFL’s best as well as a teaching tool for himself.

“Yeah for sure, a lot of guys in the NFL that I watch, I try to watch guys who are similar to me. Similar body, frame, and things like that and how they play the game,” Moore said. “I watch Khalil Mack, he likes to go a lot of long arm, speed to power. Reggie White, I like to watch his hump, how the way he abused it during his time. The Bosas, the way they just get off the ball and swipe a lot. The Watts I like their style, there’s plenty of guys that I watch.”

It’s clear that Moore is a student of the game, and hopefully, his film study and offseason training can prime him for a breakout sophomore season in 2023 for Michigan.