Michigan emerges as favorite after Salesi Moa enters portal

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Sometimes, if at first you don't succeed, try again. And even then, if you don't succeed, try again. And then, if you still don't succeed, hire the coaching staff that the recruit ended up committing to, and also offer his brother. Then, you just might succeed.

That might be a little hyperbolic, but Michigan football has long been connected to 2026 Ogden (Utah) Fremont four-star athlete Salesi Moa, but never could quite seem to get on the same page. The old staff preferred Moa as a defensive back, but Moa committed to Kyle Whittingham and Utah as a wide receiver. He even visited for The Game in November, just to make absolutely certain whether or not he wanted to end up in Ann Arbor or stay home in Salt Lake City.

But the Wolverines, now with Whittingham wearing maize and blue, are offering his brother, former Michigan State linebacker Aisea Moa, and both are now being predicted to land in Ann Arbor.

Via On3's Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong: (subscription required)

Michigan is currently trending to land a transfer wide receiver, sources tell On3’s Steve Wiltfong and I. We’ve logged predictions in favor of Kyle Whittingham’s program landing a commitment from Utah short-term Salesi Moa. The top-ranked recruit out of Utah in the cycle projects as a wide receiver for the Wolverines.

Moa signed with the Utes and subsequently enrolled in classes, but he entered the transfer portal on Monday evening. Michigan hosted his brother this past weekend and have struggled to find viable linebackers.

The younger Moa comes in at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, and could play on either side of the ball. He was ranked highest by ESPN, which had him at No. 36 overall, regardless of position.

Here is the scouting report via 247Sports' Andrew Ivins:

-Productive two-way athlete with slick athleticism that could play on either side of the ball in college, but might make the most sense at wide receiver.-Frequently finds ways to slip behind defenders and race into the deeper third as he’s a technically advanced route runner that can mix gears and create separation.-Shifty and elusive after the catch with his agility and vision, but probably lacks a true breakaway gear at this stage.-Constantly plays with a chip on his shoulder and doesn’t lack physicality as he hits people on defense and tries to move people as a perimeter blocker on offense.-Might be trending towards being a pass catcher on Saturdays, but displays favorable football IQ at safety as he constantly puts himself in position to make plays.-Should be viewed as a talented competitor with a good overall feel for the game that was playing his best football as a senior.-Might not profile as a true WR1, but can emerge as a trusted option at the Power Four level with his skill set.

With Brady Marchese having been released from his NLI and eventually signing with Auburn, the inclusion of Moa would fill the gap and give the Wolverines another dynamic playmaker to go along with Travis Johnson, Jaime Ffrench, and JJ Buchanan, who just arrived via either recruiting or the transfer portal.

Moa had originally committed to Tennessee but flipped to Utah before Whittingham made the jump from Salt Lake City to Ann Arbor.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan trending for Utah transfer WR Salesi Moa

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