From near-miss to yes: Michigan football secures prized piece
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Michigan football kept trying and trying to get 2026 Ogden (Utah) Fremont four-star athlete Salesi Moa to flip. It started when he was committed to Tennessee, but even when he decommitted from the Vols, he ended up flipping to Kyle Whittingham and Utah. After visiting for The Game, there was some hope, but ultimately it appeared that every chance kept fading away.
That is, until Whittingham left the Utes of his own volition and ultimately accepted the Michigan football head coaching job.
Moa still signed with Utah (he did so before Whittingham left) but stayed signed after Whittingham left. He enrolled in classes and started his college football career in earnest, but after a week of that, he entered the transfer portal. And now, Moa has finally committed to the Wolverines.
BREAKING: Utah short-term signee ATH Salesi Moa has Committed to Michigan, he tells @On3
Moa signed with the Utes in December and entered the portal earlier this week
He’s ranked as the No. 2 ATH in the 2026 Rivals300https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/1aLz41oFYV
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 17, 2026
The old Michigan staff liked Moa as a defensive back, as he can play corner or safety. He played defensive back at the Polynesian Bowl, where he announced his commitment. However, Whittingham and his Utah staff (many of whom followed to Ann Arbor), liked Moa as a wide receiver. It's unclear where he'll end up, but the important thing is that he will be on campus.
With Moa's commitment, it's expected that the maize and blue will also get his brother, linebacker Aisea Moa (who was at BYU then Michigan State) to also pledge in short order.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football finally lands long-pursued four-star after twist
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