The University of Utah is feeling the ripple effects of a rapidly shifting college football landscape, and the latest wave came in the form of a high-profile departure. Four-star athlete Salesi Moa, who signed with the Utes in December after flipping his commitment from Tennessee, has already entered the transfer portal-just days after enrolling in Salt Lake City.
Moa, ranked the No. 45 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247 Sports’ composite rankings, had barely unpacked his bags before deciding to explore other options. According to multiple reports, he’ll announce his next destination during Friday night’s Polynesian Bowl, which airs at 7 p.m. MST on NFL Network.
That announcement won’t come in a Utah uniform, and Athletic Director Mark Harlan didn’t hide his surprise. In a since-deleted tweet, Harlan wrote, “Well, he was with us in class for a (last) week.
Public announcement…seen it all now (probably not).” The tone was part disbelief, part resignation-a reflection of just how volatile the transfer era has become.
Moa’s quick exit comes on the heels of a major coaching shakeup in Salt Lake City. Longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham stepped down and took the top job at Michigan, leaving the Utes in the hands of defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley.
Whittingham’s move wasn’t just a headline-it was a tectonic shift. He brought several Utah staffers with him to Ann Arbor, and multiple players followed, entering the portal and committing to the Wolverines.
There’s strong speculation that Moa could be the next to join that group. According to CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer, Moa entered the portal with a “do not contact” tag, a designation that usually signals a player already knows where he’s headed. That only adds fuel to the Michigan rumors, though we’ll get official word during the Polynesian Bowl.
This isn’t just a Utah story-it’s part of a broader upheaval across college football in the state. BYU, Utah State, and even Weber State have all been touched by the domino effect of Whittingham’s departure. And across the country, the transfer portal continues to reshape rosters and redefine what commitment means in today’s game.
Just ask Washington. Earlier this month, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. entered the portal only days after signing a reported $4.7 million NIL deal with the Huskies. The move sparked talk of legal action, and within 48 hours, Williams reversed course and announced he’d stay at Washington for the 2026 season.
This is the new normal. The transfer portal window, which opened on January 2, officially closes Friday. Any player looking to make a move must enter the portal by then, but they can commit to a new school at any time afterward.
For Utah, Moa’s exit is a tough pill to swallow. He was supposed to be part of the next wave-an in-state talent with big upside and a chance to make an early impact.
Instead, he’s gone before spring ball even begins. Whether he ends up in maize and blue or elsewhere, his departure is another reminder that in today’s college football, nothing is guaranteed-not even a signed letter of intent.