Tag: fredrick moore

Devin Gardner reveals his breakout Michigan football player in 2024

He compared him to an Alabama great. #GoBlue

Michigan football fans are wondering which new or newer faces will take on greater responsibility in 2024. But a former Wolverine has the answer.

Now a color commentator for Fox Sports and Bally Sports, former Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner still bleeds maize and blue and he has some insight as to one player who could make a big impact this season, and it happens to be at a big position of need.

While everyone is talking about Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan at the wide receiver position, it’s sophomore Fredrick Moore that Gardner says will step up and should have a big year. He even compares him to one of the star Alabama receivers of the past few years.

“I’m telling you, this kid, I think, is going to be very special,” Gardner said on Red Corner Blue Corner. “Nobody really knows about this. Yet he came in (2023), 6-1, about 180-190 (pounds). And I went to a spring practice, and I’m just like, ‘Look at this kid No. 3 go.’ I’m talking about running curls, stopping, and it immediately reminded me of Jerry Jeudy, right? Everybody remembers Jerry Jeudy, how he stops, it’s like he doesn’t have knees. Like, how are you stopping so hard and going the other direction?

“And that’s what he has, got good speed. And then he performed in the spring game. I think he’s gonna be a name that all Michigan fans are gonna learn fairly quickly.”

Moore appeared in 13 games in his freshman season last year. In those games, he had four catches for 32 yards, but in the spring game, he had two catches for 76 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown.

Second-year receivers stepping up for Michigan football in spring

These guys are gonna need to really step up in 2024. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While most eyes in Ann Arbor are set on the quarterback room in spring practice, perhaps the biggest question should be: who is the quarterback going to be throwing to?

Michigan football has very little experience at the wide receiver position. Though tight end Colston Loveland could (and should) be a primary target, there are only four touchdowns in the careers of those who remain at pass catcher. Sophomore Semaj Morgan (2), junior Tyler Morris (1), and senior Peyton O’Leary (1) are the only ones who have experience of getting into the end zone.

For Morris, as someone who’s seen more time on task than the others with the starting offense, he’s emerging as a leader this spring. And he’s seeing some of the second-year players stepping up to the plate, and calling on all — himself, included — to take their games to the next level in 2024.

“I would say Fred and Semaj — really it’s everybody,” Morris said. “Fred and Semaj, I feel like just being like young guys — they were the freshmen last year — and this year they’ve shown that they can they can step up.

“And Semaj I feel like last year had a lot of the quick game stuff. And this year, I mean — I’ve told him that was nice, but we need you to do more. And that’s kind of and that’s just kind of the expectation. We’re going to need everybody to step up.

“Fred — we’re gonna need him to really be one of those deep-ball receivers. Peyton — I mean, he ain’t played a lot — we talked about it, too. We just we need everybody to step up and just give it everything.”

While Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore are young, we usually see second-year receivers take a big step forward from year one to year two. Why is that?

The same could be said for Morris, though he was just the seventh-most prolific receiver in 2023. Still, it’s a trend we see, especially in the pro-style system that Michigan runs. Why do receivers tend to make that jump once they become sophomores?

“Honestly, I think it’s just there’s a lot of stuff that you learn with playing football at the receiver position,” Morris said. “So, sometimes it can be hard just to come in right away and just really understand football. So I feel like the more reps they get against the starting defense and just in practice, and more opportunities are given, everybody’s gonna step up and make more plays than they did.”

Michigan is about midway through spring ball with the annual spring game taking place on April 20 at The Big House at noon.

Why you’re seeing Michigan football first-year WRs in games earlier and earlier

Excited to see more and more of them! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It seems that every offseason, the Michigan football coaching staff waxes ecstatic about the incoming skill position players, only to see them fall by the wayside once the season actually begins.

This year, the coaching staff raved about the trio of freshman wideouts — Karmello English, Fred Moore, and Semaj Morgan — and while we haven’t seen a ton of production out there from any of the above as of yet, we’re seeing them getting in the games early and often. We’ve seen all three come out as early as the first half, during key drives, and in the case of Moore, even make a crucial catch early in a game.

Contrast that to a player like Nico Collins, who was arguably Michigan’s best wide receiver in his tenure, who didn’t see any time in his freshman year until late in the season, — and that was out of necessity rather than him coming on so strong that they had to get him out on the field. His compatriots in that class — Tarik Black and Donovan Peoples-Jones, also played early and often, and while some of that was certainly because of talent, it also appeared to be out of necessity, given that both Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh had moved onto the NFL that offseason.

On Wednesday, Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy shared why these freshmen have been able to get more and more playing time, noting that they treat the game like seasoned veterans.

“They’re doing well, they’re doing well. You can’t treat them like freshmen,” Bellamy said. “I tell them all the time, whoever we play, you’re not going to look across and say, ‘Oh, this is an 18-year-old freshman here, take it easy on him,’ like no — they are going to be attacking them like they would any other player. So there has to be the mindset. We don’t treat them like freshmen. Those guys are diligent about their craft. That’s the thing I like about them. And that’s why they’re getting opportunities. Those guys are constantly wanting to learn and making sure that they’re dialed in and detailed in everything that we do.”

At this juncture, only Moore and Morgan have registered stats. Moore has two catches for 18 yards while Morgan has one for 35.

Fans will get a chance to see the trio in action on Saturday when Michigan football hosts Rutgers for the start of Big Ten play and the annual homecoming game. Kickoff will be at noon EDT and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.

Why Michigan football freshman WR Fredrick Moore is earning his early opportunity

He’s had more offensive snaps than many other expected veteran receivers. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It seems every year that Michigan football brings in some high-end skill position players, there’s offseason hype that they’ll see the field early and often, making an instant impact. Most often, that doesn’t happen, but when a player is unheralded as a recruit? It seems like you see those players being more likely to be an instant impact-type.

It’s too early, through two games, with only two catches for 18 yards to his name, to tell whether or not freshman wide receiver Fredrick Moore is one of those players, but he has seen more snaps than some of his older counterparts. With 20 snaps under his belt in key times during the first two games, Moore clearly has the trust of the coaching staff enough to have an opportunity to be an instant impact player.

Another such player who had a similar opportunity, Mike Sainristil got rave reviews at wide receiver when he arrived in Ann Arbor in 2019. Though his production wasn’t quite as anticipated following incredible showings in the April open practice and subsequent spring game, Sainristil did end up being an impact player, both on and off the field. Now he’s on the defensive side of the ball, but as he’s seen Moore in practice, he’s not surprised that the freshman is making the most of his opportunity.

“(He’s) just going out there and doing the thing that he’s been blessed to do,” Sainristil said. “Fred’s a really good receiver. He’s came in and he got to work right away, straight in his playbook. And the sooner you learn it, the sooner you’re able to go out there and impact. The game comes a lot slower to you when you do know what you’re doing. And Fred is the guy that knows what he’s doing when he’s out there. So it allows him to go out there and be comfortable and play his best game.”

Of course, there are also some injuries to key players that have precluded them from perhaps seeing as much playing time as expected — which also helps the freshman get on the field. Both Tyler Morris and Darrius Clemons have been listed as questionable on the weekly injury reports. But Moore is still being called upon where other available players are not.

We’ll see if Moore gets even more of an opportunity on Saturday when Michigan hosts Bowling Green at 7:30 p.m. EDT at The Big House. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

Michigan football freshman wide receiver trio already poised for big things

Can’t wait to see what they do in year one! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Earlier in August, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh raved about the three freshman wide receivers, noting that they get out of their breaks better than just about any wideouts he’s seen at that age.

Their teammate, fellow wide receiver Roman Wilson, concurs.

Now that fall camp has concluded and game week is officially here, Wilson says that he could see Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, and Karmello English being the faces of the offense once their time comes.

“They’re just a very advanced group of guys. They’re very good,” Wilson said. “And I think in a couple years, they’re gonna be those dudes. I really like them. I’m really confident and the sky’s the limit for them. They’re very good.”

Fans have gotten to see both Moore and Morgan in the spring game. Morgan had a quiet day, but Moore had four catches on five targets for 62 yards — and impressive showing for a first-year player. But English will likely make his winged helmet debut on Saturday, and no one outside of Schembechler Hall quite knows what to expect.

He’s gotten rave reviews during fall camp, but what does he play like? Wilson says that what you saw from Moore in the spring game is what you’ll also see from the Alabama native in English.

“He kind of reminds me of (Fredrick Moore) a little bit, just a lengthier guy,” Wilson said. “Long strides gets out of the breaks well, high-points the ball well, playmaker, things like that both. All three of them are very good.”

It isn’t just that these are three freshmen who are doing well for their age. Wilson notes that all three appear to be more advanced than the typical first-year wide receiver. If they can utilize their advanced knowledge and skill set to get on the field in year one, it could be a boon to an offense looking to enhance its passing game under third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

“Yeah, they actually do. They actually pick up information really well and translate it and pick it up really fast.”

Fans will get a chance to see the trio on Saturday, when Michigan football hosts East Carolina for the season opener at The Big House. The game will stream live on Peacock with kickoff at noon EDT.

The six freshmen that have been impressing Jim Harbaugh in fall camp

Familiarize yourself with these players now, #Michigan fans! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Every year, one of the big questions in fall camp is which freshmen will impress so much that they see the field regularly during the season?

In the past, we’ve seen wide receiver Grant Perry, running back Chris Evans, edge rusher Rashan Gary, wide receivers Tarik Black and Donovan Peoples-Jones, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, kicker Jake Moody, safety Dax Hill, running back Blake Corum, safety Rod Moore, cornerback Will Johnson, defensive tackle Mason Graham and burst onto the scene in their first years. That spans the bulk of the Jim Harbaugh era, so it’s more likely than not that at least one first-year player will emerge.

And if you’re looking for a few candidates, look no further than one position group.

Speaking of the wide receivers on Tuesday, Harbaugh singled out the three freshmen there as players who not only could step up in Year 1, but that have ability beyond what fans have seen at the position — maybe ever. While that’s lofty praise given the wideouts ranging from Anthony Carter to Braylon Edwards, fans should start to familiarize themselves with the freshman trio.

“Fredrick Moore, Karmello English and Semaj Morgan: Those three have really come in and inserted themselves right off the bat,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve taken reps with the ones and taking reps with the twos. They’re not playing like freshmen.

“Karmello, Fredrick and Semaj — their ability to get out of a break, we haven’t seen that for many freshmen, let alone too many receivers that have come through here. That ability, their ability to track the ball, Fredrick Moore’s ability to track the ball, is as good as I’ve seen. Semaj Morgan: quick, fast. And in shorter stature, but a very big catch radius. He can catch the ball away from his body, he can high point. He’s been really good.”

That’s not all, however.

Asked about other freshman contributors, Jim Harbaugh said he has something brewing at defensive tackle. Though that’s a loaded group with Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Cam Goode and Rayshaun Benny in the likely rotation, Harbaugh says don’t be surprised if any of the three freshmen on the interior line break out and see playing time in Year 1.

“Yeah, there’s other guys. Yeah, there’s a great group of freshmen. Cameron Brandt, Enow Etta, Trey Pierce — those three have been outstanding and came in right on time,” Harbaugh said. “And I just feel like that interior defensive line group has really been bolstered. We’ll see who the fifth and sixth defensive lineman is going to be in that rotation. But definitely those three will most likely be in. That’s how good they’re playing.”

Harbaugh also mentioned three of the freshmen cornerbacks were playing well in fall camp, which could be a boon given the Wolverines’ need at the position opposite Will Johnson.

“Three really good freshmen in that group, another position group that have three that are ascending,” Harbaugh said. “DJ Waller, Jyaire Hill and Cam Calhoun are coming on fast.”

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5 Michigan football players whose stock is rising after the spring game

Wouldn’t be surprised if by the season’s end, these guys are mainstays. #GoBlue

The dust has settled now that the Michigan football annual spring game is a week behind us. There’s nothing on-field until the team officially readies itself for the 2023 season in fall camp in August.

But there are some players who could find themselves seeing more action on the field sooner than later.

There were a handful of players who made some strong impressions in the spring game who will either play big roles and be big factors or at least could find themselves contributing in ways they hadn’t before.

Here are five Wolverines we feel have a shot to make an impact in 2023 based off what we saw in the spring game.

Early Signing Day: Fredrick Moore signs with Michigan football

He’s exactly the type of receiver that thrives at #Michigan! #GoBlue

Ratings

Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 – #57 WR #11
On3 3 – #116 WR #7
Rivals 4 – #52 WR #12
ESPN 3 – #121 WR #19
247Sports Composite 3 486 #66 WR #11
On3 Consensus 3 536 #80 WR #13

Vitals

Hometown St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter Prep
Projected Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-foot-0
Weight 175-pounds

Notable offers

Readiness Level

Could be a role player in his first year, but is more likely to be utilized in Year 2 and beyond.

Early Enrollee?

Yes

Notes

Ran an 11.55 100-meter dash.

Via MGoBlue.com:

Prep
• Attended Cardinal Ritter College Prep (2023) coached by Brennan Spain
• Helped lead the Lions to a 14-0 campaign his senior year, including the Missouri Class 3A State Championship
• Part of a team that played in three straight state semifinal games (2020-22)
• Also lettered in track and field at Cardinal Ritter

Key Statistics
• Totaled 28 touchdowns his senior year (2022), including 24 receiving scores on  67 receptions for 1,504 yards
• A two-way player for the Lions who also intercepted three passes on defense and returned kicks and punts for the Lions
• In the state championship game, caught eight passes for 157 yards with two touchdowns and added an interception on defense; scored five touchdowns in the state semifinal game
• As a junior, caught 41 passes for 1,010 yards with 12 touchdowns and added three scores via return

Honors and Rankings
• A three-star on the 247Sports composite; the No. 509 overall player nationally, the No. 68 wide receiver and the No. 12 player in the state of Missouri
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 56 wide receiver and the No. 11 player in the state of Missouri
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 207 player in the region, the No. 121 wide receiver nationally and the No. 19 player in the state of Missouri
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, the No. 52 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 12 player in Missouri
• On3.com three-star consensus prospect, the No. 80 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 13 player in Missouri
• On3.com three-star prospect, the No. 114 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 17 player in Missouri
• All-State selection as a senior (2022)
• 2022 Offensive Player of the Year
• All-District selection as a senior (2022)

Personal
• Fredrick Moore was born Feb. 24, 2005
• Son of Willie Davidson and Elizabeth Moore

Scouting report

Via 247Sports’ Allen Trieu:

Name of the game with Moore is route running. Has very good lateral quickness and suddenness which allow him to create separation. Shows good hands and ability to catch the ball away from his body. Adequate to good straight line speed, and can threaten vertically some, but is not likely to consistently blow by defenders deep. Adequate combination of size and speed but game will be built much more on his craft and short area quickness than pure measurebles. Still has room to add weight and strength. Should be able to be a combo guy who can play outside and in the slot. Has production and very real technical, positional skills which should make him a productive and dangerous target in college. Stepped up big as a senior and trajectory is heading upward. Has shown that he can be a dangerous return man as well.

Film

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2023 wide receiver commits to Michigan football

Great news for the maize and blue! #GoBlue

Michigan football hasn’t been lighting things up on the recruiting trail, but perhaps that’s about to change. From missed targets to decommitments, it hasn’t been solid on the maize and blue front, but Friday brought good news for the Wolverines.

One of the key official visitors in the month of June was St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter College Prep three-star wide receiver Fredrick Moore, who checks in at 6-foot, 175-pounds. A track runner who ran an 11.55 100-meter dash, Moore has offers from every Big Ten school other than Ohio State, Purdue, and Northwestern, but also boasts offers from Texas A&M, Cincinnati and Arkansas.

Deciding between Michigan and Illinois, Moore announced on Friday that he’ll be wearing a winged helmet, committing to the Wolverines.

He announced the commitment on Spotify Live.

Per the 247Sports Composite, Moore is ranked the No. 491 player in the country, the 61st-best receiver, and the No. 12 player in the state of Missouri. According to Gabe Brooks of 247Sports, he finished his junior season of high school with over 1,000 yards receiving with an average of 24.6 yards per catch.

He joins Semaj Morgan as the second wideout commitment in the 2023 class.

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Michigan football resonates with Fredrick Moore on official visit

Another speedster highly interested in #Michigan! #GoBlue

Michigan’s offense started to really take off in 2021 and recruits are taking notice. That includes those in the prospective 2023 class who are searching for their next school of choice.

Among those who took official visits to Ann Arbor this past weekend was St. Louis (Mo.) Cardinal Ritter College Prep three-star wide receiver Fredrick Moore, the speedy dual-sport athlete who ran an 11.55 100-meter dash in track. Moore met with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy while on campus, and raved about all three.

“Jim, he’s a pretty cool dude. We sat down to have a conversation and it was like talking to my brother,” Moore told WolverinesWire. “He’s a down to earth type dude and it felt like I knew him before I even seen him type thing. Like we already had a relationship. I felt comfortable around him.

“I didn’t really talk to (primary recruiter) Jay Harbaugh, but I talked to Coach Moore and Coach Ryan and Coach Bellamy. Coach Bellamy’s really a cool dude. He’s not really — I know some schools pressure you, he’s not pressuring you to commit. But he’s also letting me know he wants me to be there like Coach Moore was, too. And they were showing me how I fit in their offense and what they have to offer me if I come to the university.”

One of the common denominators we’ve heard from recruits as they’ve departed campus was they’ve noticed how dedicated the players are to winning, how hard they work, as well as the camaraderie and brotherhood they have within Schembechler Hall. Moore spent time with A.J. Henning during his official visit, noting they have a lot in common.

But on the field, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver resonates with Andrel Anthony’s game, and was thrilled when the coaches told him that he could play a similar role, should he become a Wolverine.

“They run like a West Coast spread, but they pass the ball and then they have concepts where they can get receivers open in any zone,” Moore said. “I really like that. And by me coming, if I come to Michigan, I’d play inside and outside, with me being a good size. I see how they use Andrel Anthony and I see myself playing just like him.”

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But what is Moore looking for?

Really, a school that has it all. And from what he’s seen, Michigan has what he wants at the next level. And it also helps that he grew up watching Jabrill Peppers wearing a winged helmet.

“Scheme, a school I can go to and my family trusts me going there, it’s an all-around type deal,” he said. “I want to major in computer science and I know Michigan’s one of the top universities in the world, and public universities. Just a scheme I already know. Michigan’s got a scheme and they got the QB, so I really like Michigan.”

Moore was supposed to visit MSU on an official this upcoming weekend, but he’s canceled that, thus eliminating the Spartans. At the moment, Michigan, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and Illinois are coming after him the hardest. He plans to make a decision before his senior season starts this fall.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Moore is ranked the No. 489 player in the country, regardless of position, and is the 60th-best wide receiver, nationally. He currently has three 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, all favoring the Wolverines.

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