Michigan football: Jayden Sanders 'big time,' Rod Moore 'flying around'

Michigan Wolverines football freshman cornerback Jayden Sanders was thrust into action Sept. 6 at Oklahoma, following an injury to senior starter Zeke Berry. Sanders opened the next two games with Berry out, as well, and has been impressive in the early going.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pounder has got off blocks, tackled well in the open field and played good coverage. He’s totaled 16 tackles — including 8 in a 30-27 win over Nebraska Sept. 20 — with a pass breakup. Sanders’ 73.8 PFF coverage rating checks in second among Michigan defenders with more than 20 coverage snaps, and he’s allowed 10 catches for 71 yards and no touchdowns on 10 targets.

The amazing thing — Sanders didn’t enroll early. He joined the Michigan program this summer and quickly rose up the depth chart.

“I saw it from the start of fall camp,” junior nickel back TJ Metcalf said. “When he got here, I feel like he was eager to learn and catch up to speed on things. And then when fall camp came around, he was making plays, catching pick-sixes and doing stuff like that. So, I mean, we knew that he was going to have an important role for the team. He just continues to show that the coaches can trust him.”

A transfer in this offseason, Metcalf enrolled early at Arkansas ahead of his freshman season in 2023. For Sanders to not go through winter conditioning and spring practices yet still play a big role right away is monumental.

“Usually, you don’t see guys come in and start game three their freshman year, and I feel like that’s impressive he did that,” Metcalf said. “Coming in, in the summer, as well, that’s big time.”

Sanders is one of three Michigan freshman cornerbacks in the rotation, along with Shamari Earls and Elijah Dotson, both of whom also had big roles in the victory over Nebraska.

“It’s special that we have a lot of freshmen rotating in with guys that play a lot of snaps,” Metcalf said. “That’s big for us. Whenever we have the starting D-line in, starting linebackers in, you throw freshmen in there and they’ve got to grow up and step up — and I think they’re doing a good job doing that. 

“I feel like they’re comfortable back there, for the most part. And our freshmen, the people that don’t have that much experience, they do a good job of leaning on us to be their leaders and just show them and guide them in the right direction.”

Rod Moore is back and ‘flying around’

Michigan graduate safety Rod Moore played 21 snaps and recorded a tackle in the victory over Nebraska, marking his first bit of playing time since the national championship game Jan. 8, 2024 — 621 days earlier.

Metcalf never got to play in a game with Moore before but was elated to last weekend.

“Shoot, Rod was flying around out there when he got in,” Metcalf said with a smile. “I like to see it.

“Somebody coming back from an injury like that and then seeing him on the field playing fearless, I really love to see that about him. He was very eager to get back out there, and I feel like he is comfortable out there, as well, like he never missed a step. It’s been pretty good with him being back there.”

Moore took on the role similar to a coach while he was hurt over the last year-plus, but now is back to using his experiences to help himself and his Michigan teammates on the field.

“We all know that Rod is a captain, leader chosen to the team unanimously,” Metcalf said. “Him being in our room, it’s great for us, too. We get knowledge from him, and the leadership that he showcases.”

TJ Metcalf comfortable in Michigan secondary

Metcalf was a starter at Arkansas but had to learn an entirely different system under coordinator Wink Martindale at Michigan. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has stood out with 15 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and an interception while seizing the starting nickel back job.

“It’s been fun,” Metcalf said. “We got to play some big-time teams, and it’s been a fun environment everywhere we’ve been.”

He played deep safety with the Razorbacks but has no problem being Michigan’s nickel.

“Really, shoot, I just feel comfortable being on that field,” he said. ‘Whatever position I’m at, I just want to play. That’s really what it is.”

Metcalf has picked up the defense and believes the many install periods Michigan has helps everyone learn it.

“The formations and the call itself,” he said of the hardest part. “There are a lot of things we need to know and adjust to. I won’t say it’s easy, but it’s manageable, for the most part. I like it. I like that we get to do a lot of things, get to show a lot of different looks and confuse some people. And it works, so that’s what I like about it.”