Salesi Moa’s recruiting journey has taken another sharp turn - and this one could have major implications as he prepares to kick off his college career. The former Tennessee verbal commit and elite two-way prospect has officially entered the transfer portal before ever suiting up for a collegiate snap.
Moa originally signed with Utah, where he had deep family ties - his father played tight end for the Utes - but the program’s coaching change, with longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham stepping down, triggered Moa’s decision to explore new options. He entered the portal this past Monday with a “do not contact” designation, signaling that he likely already had a destination in mind.
Now, all eyes are on Friday, Jan. 16, when Moa is expected to announce his new commitment at the Polynesian Bowl, according to a report from Rivals. The heavy favorite? Michigan - and there’s plenty of reason to believe the Wolverines are in the driver’s seat.
Whittingham, the coach Moa signed to play for at Utah, is now at Michigan. That connection alone carries weight, but Michigan was already in the mix during Moa’s initial recruitment. The Wolverines recruited him hard the first time around, and it looks like that early groundwork may be paying off.
Tennessee, despite holding Moa’s commitment for a significant stretch, doesn’t appear to be in the running to bring him back. His “do not contact” status suggests the Vols weren’t part of the second round of conversations, and there’s been no strong indication that a reunion is on the table.
Moa’s recruiting profile speaks for itself. He’s ranked as the No. 45 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite, and while he was briefly a five-star, he currently sits as a consensus four-star.
He’s the No. 3 athlete nationally and the top-ranked player out of Utah - a state that doesn’t often produce top-tier SEC prospects. Had he stuck with Tennessee, he would’ve been the first player from Utah to sign with the Vols.
There’s also a bit of a hometown connection to Tennessee: head coach Josh Heupel started his college playing career at Weber State - right in Moa’s backyard. That tie may have helped the Vols land his initial commitment, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to keep him on board through signing day.
Moa is the type of player who can change a game from either side of the ball. He’s projected to play both offense and defense at the college level, with elite flashes as both a wide receiver and defensive back.
Tennessee has tried to make that dual-role work before - most notably with Dee Williams and Boo Carter. But Williams made the switch midseason, and Carter’s off-field issues complicated his transition.
Even without Moa in the fold, Tennessee still landed a top-five recruiting class, according to 247Sports. That’s a strong showing for the Vols, but Moa’s decision still looms large. Wherever he lands - and all signs point to Michigan - he brings immediate impact potential and the kind of versatility that coaches dream about.
Friday’s announcement at the Polynesian Bowl will make it official, but one thing’s already clear: Salesi Moa’s next stop is going to be a big one.