The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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A GREAT EDUCATION Brain Function Along With His Playbook Tight End Brandon Moore Studies B BY JOHN BORTON randon Moore has been using his head for more than a winged helmet- filler during his years in Ann Arbor. The fifth-year senior has a mind of his own when it comes to his path in life. Michigan football fans anxiously await what he might do stepping into the role as the Wolverines' top tight end this fall. But while Moore immerses himself in his playbook and film study, he's also focusing on what happens when the head knocking begins in earnest. When not rigorously training for the on-field battles ahead, Moore finds himself this summer at Michigan NeuroSport, located at Domino's Farms in Ann Arbor. The clinic, part of the University of Michigan Health System, fully dedicates itself to the neurological concerns of athletes. That's a hot topic these days, with all of the concern regarding concussions in football making front-page news. Moore harbors more than a passing interest in this area, and not just because of his gridiron battles for the Wolverines. His recently renamed major is "bio- psychology cognition neuroscience." The Dayton, Ohio, native carried a 4.25 grade-point average at Trotwood- Madison High School, and he has remained on a high academic track in Ann Arbor. He originally considered pre-med, with intentions of becoming a physician's assistant or a nurse. His introduction to NeuroSport, has him locked onto concussion research. "As I've been going through my classes, about them, and correlating that with what I've been learning in school, has been a dream come true for me. Playing football, I come at it from a different point of view than most researchers can come at it with." Moore's point of view includes that of a prospective patient. Such an outlook always get one's attention. In spite of his heightened awareness, Moore doesn't approach any football season with unmanageable trepidation. "Of course it worries me a little bit, but I feel like I'm more and more aware of it," he said. "I'm aware of what a concussion might "I started working on concussions. Learning about them, and correlating that with what I've been learning in school, has been a dream come true for me. a different point of view than most researchers can come at it with." MOORE Playing football, I come at it from feel like. I feel like it prepares me more to understand the whole treatment aspect of it." that's what I've been more interested in — learning more about concussions, things that can cause them, people who are predisposed to get them," Moore noted. "The guy I'm working for, he was on it way before the media picked it up. He's one of the leading researchers in that field, so it will be really good for me." Moore assures he's thinking about the field as far more than an interesting summer exercise. "It's something I would definitely like to pursue in the future," Moore said. "My major is brain behavior, and going through my classes, the thing that struck me wasn't necessarily the science part, things with the biochemistry, but the whole aspect of the workings of the brain and what happens when you have brain injuries or traumas to areas of the brain. "I started working on concussions. Learning On the other hand, Moore is not aware of what a Big Ten football championship feels like. Not yet, anyway. Moore did experience the redemptive 11-2 campaign last season, one that felt like a splash of ice water on a hike through the Mojave Desert. He knew the natural high of taking down Ohio State, something Moore and several graduating classes before him had not experienced. He's been feted in New Orleans at New Year's, helped welcome Nebraska to the Big Ten with a punch in the nose, and felt a rush of pride at wearing the Michigan uniform. Still, he noted, the brains inside those winged helmets long for more. "We had a great season, but we didn't accomplish our main goal, which was to win the Big Ten championship," Moore pointed out. "This year, that's our goal. That's what it is for every Michigan team. Last year was great, but we still want to improve on it. "When we don't win the Big Ten Chemistry Lessons 124 s THE WOLVERINE 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW championship, yes, we do consider it a failure. We had a good season, but we failed ourselves by not winning a Big Ten championship." Moore could have a much bigger hand in a championship run than he's experienced thus far. He got into 12 games last year, as a backup tight end behind captain Kevin Koger. With Koger gone, Moore emerged from spring practice as Michigan's top tight end, according to position coach Dan Ferrigno. The fifth-year senior isn't taking anything for granted, and simply wants to improve on everything he's doing. "I had some experience last year, and I'm going to take that and use it," Moore noted. "I've definitely improved a lot on my blocking and my pass catching, my footwork and all sorts of things. I still need to improve, and that's what I'm working on." Knowledge is power, Moore observed, and a second year in Michigan's new offensive system makes every last Wolverine more powerful. "We have more chemistry, because it's our second year in the system," Moore said. "We know the little nooks and crannies of the system, and how the little things matter a lot in the big picture. Our confidence has built up, because we know the system and how to improve." For instance, the veteran tight end offered, a year ago he might not have expended much angst on taking a perfect initial step on the power block. Now, he sees the value. "It gives the guard a better angle to come around," Moore said. "It gives the fullback a better angle to block. It's stuff that we kind of knew last year, but now we know how important it is for the big picture. We've seen times when it did happen and it led to a big play. We've seen times when it didn't happen and it led to a loss or no gain." Ferrigno remains adamant that he wants more out of Moore, in terms of winning blocking battles and becoming the type of all- around force that will make a difference in football games. The coach keeps pushing, like all coaches do. Moore has just two career receptions for 28 yards, but he was listed as U-M's No. 1 tight end in the spring and will have an opportunity to make an impact in his final season in maize and blue. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL