Why Fredrick Moore is emerging as a potential breakout for Michigan football in 2025

USA Today

02-04-2025

Why Fredrick Moore is emerging as a potential breakout for Michigan football in 2025
With so many changes on the offense, you'd think there would be a lot of uncertainty for Michigan football entering 2025. But many of the positions have returning starters, so even with a new offensive coordinator coming in with Chip Lindsey leading the charge, many players are somewhat entrenched.
But one position that remains, even in spring ball, a big question mark for the Wolverines is wide receiver.
The most prolific receiver entering spring was a transfer in Indiana wideout Donaven McCulley, the former quarterback. But outside of him, no player has more than 200 receiving yards in a season. On Wednesday, McCulley shared his candidate for potential breakout in the room of the extant pass catchers and it's someone who started to look the part late last season.
"Fred Moore, he's doing a pretty good job," McCulley said. "I like how he brings a lot of energy. Even if I'm down or maybe I drop a pass or something like that, I know Fred is gonna make a big play."
As mentioned, Moore started to come in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama, where he tied a career-high three catches and missed his career high in yards, with 37. His touchdown against the Crimson Tide was his first at the college level.
With that, Moore went into that game knowing he had to make an impact. He did, and now he's using that to propel him forward this season.
"The ReliaQuest Bowl just gave my confidence back," Moore said. "I had fun out there, and we was in Tampa having fun. I just wanted to prove that I know that we had a receiver left. We had (Tyler Morris) leaving, so it was just my time to step up."
So, what has he done to improve?
Many might say they've been on the jugs machine, doing drills, looking to increase or decrease this or that. But Moore has particularly honed in on getting his body right -- working on his hips while also increasing size.
"From last year, I've been getting my nutrition right. On my body, really getting my hips more flexible," Moore said. I say I've been more flexible. The only things I couldn't really do last year -- and getting bigger, that's about it.
"I was playing last year like at 180, I'm like 191."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the somewhat new-look Michigan wide receiving corps on April 19 in the annual spring game at The Big House.