The Michigan Wolverines are coming off of their best season since 2003-2004, winning their first Big Ten title since that season on the strength of an explosive offense, sack-heavy defense and some of the best special teams play in the Jim Harbaugh era.
A key cog of the special teams unit was Jake Moody, who announced via his Twitter account that he will be returning for the 2021-2022 season.
The former walk-on who hails from Pinckney, Michigan and went to Northville High School to play for the Mustangs also seemed to hint at a possible future championship run for the Wolverines.
#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/psNLgl0aFQ
— Jake Moody (@jmoods13) January 15, 2022
Moody won the Lou Groza Award in 2021 as the nation’s top kicker, beating out Gabe Brkic of Oklahoma and Noah Ruggles of Ohio State.
He finished third in the nation with 22 field goals on just 24 attempts in the regular season, and also made his only field goal attempt in the Orange Bowl against Georgia.
His successful season is a testament to head coach Jim Harbaugh’s eye for special teams talent, as his predecessor Quinn Nordin now kicks for the New England Patriots in the National Football League.
College players have until Monday to declare for the NFL Draft according to Mlive.com.
Moody will join fellow high profile returnees Brad Robbins (punter), Luke Schoonmaker (tight end), and Erick All (tight end) among those who have officially announced they’re staying thus far.
The star kicker is reputed to have “made a couple 70s” at his high school field in Northville recently and figures to be another key element of one of the Wolverines’ most underrated units in 2021.
