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Michigan safety R.J. Moten hits the transfer portal

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•04/24/23•

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Michigan defender R.J. Moten has hit the transfer portal. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

In a somewhat unexpected move, Michigan safety R.J. Moten has opted to enter his name into the transfer portal. The senior has appeared in 29 games with 15 starts, though his playing time started to diminish last year.

RELATED: Michigan football WR AJ Henning enters transfer portal

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Moten appeared in all 14 games as a junior, playing defensive back in 13 games with 10 starts at safety. He notched 31 tackles with 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, 2 breakups, and 2 quarterback hurries to earn his third varsity letter. He finished his career with 65 total tackles, including 17 assisted 48 solo stops.

As a sophomore, Moten played in all 14 games with five starts at safety and also contributed on special teams; made 34 tackles and broke up four passes including one interception to earn his second varsity letter

A former 4-star prospect out of New Jersey, Moten was seen as a ‘tweener, a bigger safety who some even suggested could bulk up to play linebacker. In fact, he played with the group a bit at Fiesta Bowl practices.

“He’s been playing dime and safety all year, so certain days, I let him play linebacker,” Michigan secondary coach and co-D.C. Steve Clinkscale said of Moten in winter. “But he still gets safety reps. We’ve done it all year, because a lot of our packages, he’s a guy that we can put down in the box and he understands the fits.

“He’s really good about learning the dime position, which is really the boundary safety position.”

Junior to be Rod Moore and senior Makari Paige, though, became the two primary safeties. Sophomores Zeke Berry and Keon Sabb made moves this spring and will compete for time, as well.

Moten is the second Wolverine to enter the portal today, joining receiver and returner A.J. Henning.

Watch for more on these and other developments in the days to come …

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