Four-star athlete Salesi Moa flips to Michigan, reuniting with former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. Discover what this dynamic playmaker brings to Ann Arbor.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the Big Ten and the Pac-12 (now Big 12) footprint, four-star athlete Salesi Moa officially committed to the University of Michigan on Friday night, January 16, 2026. Moa made the announcement on a national stage during the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound dynamic playmaker chose the Wolverines just days after entering the transfer portal. While technically a "transfer," Moa is a true freshman who had only recently signed and enrolled at the University of Utah in early January. His decision to flip to Michigan marks a significant victory for the Wolverines and serves as a testament to the seismic shifts occurring in Ann Arbor.
The Road to Ann Arbor
Moa’s recruitment has been one of the most followed sagas of the 2026 cycle. Originally a Tennessee commit, he flipped to his home-state Utes during the early signing period in December. However, the landscape changed overnight when legendary Utah coach Kyle Whittingham departed Salt Lake City to take over the helm at Michigan following the exit of Sherrone Moore.
Moa didn't just follow a head coach; he followed a coaching infrastructure. Michigan’s staff now includes:
• Kyle Whittingham: Head Coach.
• Micah Simon: Wide Receivers coach (Moa's primary recruiter).
• Jason Beck: Offensive Coordinator.
• Lewis Powell: Defensive Line coach and Moa’s uncle.
This deep personal and professional connection made Michigan the logical destination. As Moa stated during his commitment, "Big Ten football is one of the biggest stages there is, and it doesn’t get bigger than playing at the Big House."
What Michigan Gets: A Two-Way Terror
Salesi Moa is ranked as the No. 1 athlete in the transfer portal and a top-50 prospect nationally in the 2026 class. His versatility is his greatest weapon. At the high school level, he was a dominant force on both sides of the ball:
• Offense: 58 catches for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior year.
• Defense: A hard-hitting safety with elite ball skills.
• Speed: A verified 11.00-second 100-meter dash time.
While Michigan recruited him as an "athlete," Moa has expressed a preference for wide receiver. He joins a revitalized receiving room that includes stars like Jaime Ffrench and Andrew Marsh. However, his 6-foot-2 frame and physical playstyle mean the coaching staff could utilize him as a "Swiss Army Knife"—potentially playing safety in high-leverage defensive packages or returning punts.
The Bigger Picture for Michigan
Moa’s commitment is more than just adding one player; it signifies a "Utah-to-Michigan" pipeline that has fundamentally reshaped the Wolverines' roster. Moa will also have the unique opportunity to play with his older brother, Aisea Moa, a linebacker who also joined the program recently.
By landing Moa, Michigan has secured another elite weapon for superstar quarterback Bryce Underwood. The 2026 class is shaping up to be one of the most explosive offensive groups in Michigan history, pivoting away from the "SMASH" or "ground and pound" identity of years past toward a high-octane, modern vertical threat.