Derrick Moore credits past Michigan leaders for his growth, becoming team captain: 'I owe them to do it for the younger guys'

Michigan Wolverines football senior EDGE Derrick Moore received significant playing time as a freshman in 2022, was a strong rotational player as a sophomore in 2023 and became a starter in 2024. Now, he’s a captain, one of six on Michigan’s 146th football team.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Baltimore native chuckled when he was asked if the younger version of himself envisioned becoming a captain one day.

“That’s something I had to grow into,” Moore said. “Especially being around the leaders that we had in previous years, and just seeing them and how dialed into the Michigan program they were, I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I’m ever gonna fill those shoes,’ for the guys — just the way they talk, the way they carry themselves and the way they go out on the field and perform.”

But Moore did grow into it, due part to the examples he had before him, including defensive back Mike Sainristil, defensive tackle Mazi Smith, linebacker Michael Barrett, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and others. In the EDGE room, Moore learned quite a bit from Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor and Josaiah Stewart, all of whom are in the NFL.

All of those players — and a bunch more — led championship teams. Moore was a part of those, and now it’s his turn to pass down the knowledge to the younger plays and help carry forward the tradition of excellence of the University of Michigan football program.

“The freshman that I was and the leaders that I had, they broke me out of that shell and helped me open up, especially from the background I had come from,” Moore explained. “I appreciate those boys, and I owe them a ton to do it for the younger guys.”

This offseason, Moore has become a better leader, both vocally and by example. Sure enough, when Michigan head man Sherrone Moore pulled out the jerseys of those who were voted captain by their teammates, No. 8 was presented to the team.

“I never thought of it, but as time went on, I actually told myself that I actually have a shot to lead this team going into my senior year,” Moore said. “That was one of my goals, to be able to lead this team and eventually be a captain. Whether I was or not, I said, ‘No matter what, I’m always gonna do my best to lead this team the best I can.’”

He’ll do it as a captain because his teammates insisted upon it.

“Before Coach Moore pulled out my jersey, everybody was already calling my name, and I was just trying to be humble about it,” Moore said of Thursday’s team meeting. “But in the moment, I was excited, and I was just grateful for the moment.

“That moment felt great. Just so excited.”

Moore is one of Michigan’s best pass rushers, having totaled 9 sacks over the last two seasons, including 4 in 2024. He’s made big plays before, including the final stop in overtime of the CFP semifinal against Alabama in 2023, and hopes to be a part of some crucial moments in the future.

“I want to be a guy who leads this team the right way, does everything the right way, just from the little things — on the football field and outside of the football field,” Moore said of what type of captain he wants to be. “And also, be one of those guys that steps up in the big moments for the team. You can be a leader, or you can be somebody like that who’s always talking — but your actions have to also show on the field.

“I want to be one of those types of guys to talk and lead but also show on the field.”