Derrick Moore’s path to becoming one of six captains on Michigan’s 146th football team is a story of steady growth, guided mentorship, and earned respect.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound EDGE rusher from Baltimore first saw the field in 2022 as a true freshman, carving out early playing time in a championship-caliber defense. By 2023, he’d become a key rotational player. In 2024, he stepped into a full-time starting role. Now, in his final season in Ann Arbor, Moore has emerged as a team captain — a title voted on by his teammates, and one he wears with pride and humility.
“That’s something I had to grow into,” Moore reflected. “The leaders before me — guys like Mike Sainristil, Mazi Smith, Michael Barrett — they set the tone. I didn’t know if I’d ever fill those shoes. They carried themselves a certain way. They were all in on Michigan football, and I just watched, learned, and followed.”
He also absorbed wisdom from a stacked EDGE room that included current NFL talents like Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, and Josaiah Stewart.
“They broke me out of my shell,” Moore said. “They helped me find my voice. I appreciate those boys, and I owe them a ton. Now, it’s on me to give that back to the younger guys.”
When head coach Sherrone Moore announced the team captains, Moore’s name was already being chanted before his jersey was even held up. It was a full-circle moment — not just for Moore, but for everyone who watched him grow into this role.
“I told myself before the season — captain or not — I’d lead this team however I could,” Moore said. “But when that moment came, it felt incredible. It meant everything.”
On the field, Moore has been consistently disruptive. He’s tallied nine sacks over the past two seasons, including four in 2024, and was instrumental in the overtime win against Alabama in the 2023 College Football Playoff semifinal.
Now, his goal is broader.
“I want to lead the right way — not just by talking, but by doing the little things right, on and off the field,” Moore said. “Anybody can say they’re a leader. But leadership shows in moments — big ones and small ones. I want to be the guy who steps up when it matters.”
For Moore, the captaincy isn’t a title — it’s a responsibility. And it’s clear he intends to live up to it.
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