Michigan just added a serious weapon to its 2026 roster - and he’s bringing skills on both sides of the ball.
Salesi Moa, a dynamic four-star athlete out of Fremont High School in Ogden, Utah, announced during the Polynesian Bowl that he’s heading to Ann Arbor, flipping from Utah to join head coach Kyle Whittingham and the Wolverines. It’s a major pickup for Michigan, and one that could pay off in multiple ways.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Moa is a true two-way standout. He’s been on Michigan’s radar for a while - the Wolverines originally recruited him as a defensive back under LaMar Morgan, and he made an official visit last summer.
He even returned for a surprise trip during rivalry week for The Game in November. But despite that late push, Moa committed to Tennessee, then flipped to Utah in December.
Now, he’s headed to the Big Ten.
What’s changed? A new coaching staff and a fresh opportunity.
Under Whittingham, along with offensive coordinator Jason Beck and wide receivers coach Micah Simon, Moa will get a legitimate shot to play offense - something that wasn’t really on the table with Michigan’s previous regime. And based on his senior year production, that’s a bet worth making.
Moa was electric as a wideout this past season: 63 catches, 1,272 yards, 16 touchdowns. He’s a polished route runner with a knack for slipping behind defenders and creating separation - not with raw speed, but with technical precision and timing.
After the catch, he’s elusive and tough to bring down, using vision and agility to turn short gains into big plays. He’s not a burner, but he’s got enough burst and football IQ to be a real problem for defenses.
And don’t sleep on his defensive chops, either.
Moa totaled 57 tackles, five pass breakups, and three interceptions as a senior. He plays with an edge, isn’t afraid to hit, and shows strong instincts in the secondary - the kind of player who always seems to be in the right spot.
With Michigan’s defensive backfield seeing some turnover this offseason, there could be room for Moa to contribute on that side of the ball as well. If he can handle the workload, a two-way role isn’t out of the question.
Scouting-wise, 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins offered a comparison to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan - a high-floor, high-IQ player who might not be a WR1 prototype but can absolutely become a trusted option at the Power Four level. Moa brings a physical edge to his game, whether he’s blocking on the perimeter or laying a hit on defense. And he’s been trending up - Ivins noted that Moa was playing his best football as a senior.
He’s currently ranked as the No. 1 player in Utah, the No. 3 athlete nationally, and the No. 45 overall prospect in the 2026 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Bottom line: Michigan didn’t just land a top recruit - they landed a versatile, competitive playmaker who fits the mold of what this new staff is building. Whether it’s at wide receiver, in the secondary, or both, Salesi Moa is going to have every chance to make an impact in maize and blue.