Michigan’s reputation as EDGE U got another boost Saturday, and this time it came from Derrick Moore.
The Detroit Lions rookie made his presence felt in a 17-13 preseason win over the Commanders, logging a sack and two forced fumbles. For a team that has been looking for a reliable pass rusher to line up opposite Aidan Hutchinson, Moore looked like the kind of player who can step in and help right away.
Detroit has already seen what happens when it lands a difference-maker on the edge with Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick. Now the Lions may have found another one in Moore, who was taken No. 44 overall in the 2026 NFL draft.
Moore’s impact wasn’t a surprise to anyone who watched him at Michigan. He was a disruptive force throughout his college career, finishing with 95 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.
Of those 95 stops, 62 were solo tackles. He also had 10 sacks as a senior, was part of Michigan’s national title team as a sophomore and went 3-1 against Ohio State during his time in Ann Arbor.
Michigan’s rookies weren’t done there.
Rayshaun Benny, a seventh-round pick by the Ravens, also turned in a strong preseason performance. Baltimore beat Minnesota, and Benny added a sack to his résumé. That came after he had already impressed against the Eagles in the first preseason game, making his case for a spot on the 53-man roster even stronger.
Benny’s Michigan career ended with 107 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. He wasn’t drafted nearly as early as his play suggested he should have been, but he’s been showing the same steady value in Baltimore that made him such an intriguing prospect. More known for his work against the run than as a pass rusher, Benny could still draw interest from other teams if he were cut, though his early preseason work makes that look less and less likely.
At Michigan, Benny often seemed like a player who had more to give. Even so, he was dominant at times, especially against the run, and his draft slot felt light for the kind of talent he brought to the field. So far in the NFL, the national champion has kept that momentum going.
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Michigan Just Landed An Early Ohio Recruiting Win Fans Will Love
Monsanna Torbert Jr. gave Michigan an early jolt on the recruiting trail, becoming a hard commitment for the Wolverines 2027 class after the four-star cornerback out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati chose Ann Arbor over several major programs. For a staff that has long made its living selling defense and development, landing one of Ohios most intriguing prospects so far ahead of signing day is the kind of move that can ripple well beyond one pledge.
Torbert is regarded as a top national cornerback prospect, and his decision points to the kind of impression Michigan made during his visit. The coaching staff and its defensive philosophy clearly resonated, which is especially notable considering where he comes from and who else was in the mix. For Michigan, it is an early win in a neighbors backyard, and the real question now is how firmly the Wolverines can hold onto it as the recruiting process keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans O-Line Is Nearly Set But One Key Question Remains
With the opener against Western Michigan closing in, Michigan still has one last bit of line work to sort through. The Wolverines have a pretty clear shape up front, with Blake Frazier and Andrew Sprague lining up at tackle, Jake Guarnera at center and Evan Link set on the left side of the interior. Even with that outline taking form, the staff has not officially settled on a starting offensive line, which keeps a little intrigue attached to a unit that will be critical no matter who gets the nod.
The biggest unresolved spot is the guard job next to Link, where Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton are still vying for the assignment. Andrew Babalola remains sidelined for now, and when he is ready to return he may first be used as an extra blocker rather than being thrown immediately into the full-time mix. For Michigan, the broader picture is encouraging because most of the front appears close to defined, but the final choice at guard will be one of the details worth watching when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Week 1 Offense Is Emerging But One Big Battle Remains
Michigans offense has started to take shape ahead of the opener against Western Michigan, even if the official depth chart is staying under wraps for now. Bryce Underwood is expected to get the first crack at quarterback, Jordan Marshall appears set as the starting running back and team captain, and Andrew Marsh along with JJ Buchanan look like the leading options at wide receiver as the Wolverines try to settle into a rhythm early.
The real intrigue is in the spots still up for grabs, where the wide receiver third job and the tight end rotation are both drawing competition and multiple players should be involved once the games begin. Up front, there has also been a shift on the offensive line, with Nate Efobi now likely to start over Andrew Babalola after a minor setback in fall camp, leaving Michigan with a few important decisions still to sort out before the season opener. [Read more 🡒]