It is anticipated that Michigan will still have a top defensive team in 2025 despite losing two first-round draft selections (Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham) and standout corner Will Johnson from the 2024 team. Three Michigan defenders—Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, and Rod Moore—were named among the top 10 players in the country at their position this season by PFF College on Friday.

Derrick Moore, No. 10 on EDGE

According to PFF, Derrick Moore is the 10th best edge rusher in the country going into his senior year. Moore appears ready for a huge season in 2025 after playing in 41 games and making 12 starts thus far. In his first three seasons, the 6-3, 256-pound Baltimore native has recorded 11.0 sacks and 65 tackles, including 4.0 sacks in 2024.

No. 9 Rayshaun Benny, DT

According to PFF, Rayshaun Benny is ranked as the ninth-best defensive end in the country going into his last season in Ann Arbor. Benny will be expected to spearhead the effort to replace that output, as Michigan must replace two first-round picks up front in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. During his four seasons in Ann Arbor, the former Detroit four-star prospect has made 41 appearances, recording 72 tackles (10 TFL) and 2.5 sacks.

There is still a great deal of anticipation among Michigan supporters that veteran safety Rod Moore will be available this autumn. Moore missed the entire season last year due to an ACL tear he sustained during spring practice. It was fantastic to watch Moore run on turf for the first time in almost a year in a recent video that he uploaded. Fans are worried that Moore could not be prepared when the Wolverines begin the season on August 30 because the season is less than 100 days away.

Moore is without a doubt one of the best safeties in the nation when he is on the field, regardless of where he is in his recuperation. During Michigan’s amazing three-year run from 2021 to 2023, he was in charge of several of the greatest plays, including the game-winning interception against Ohio State in 2023.