Why Utah transfer Jonah Lea'ea chose Michigan football

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are some players that Michigan football got from the transfer portal who get more hype than others. Of course, edge rusher John Henry Daley, cornerback Smith Snowden, and wide receiver JJ Buchanan (both from Utah) garner the most headlines. But there's another former Ute who very well could play a huge role for the Wolverines this year.

Defensive tackle Jonah Lea'ea was integral up front for Utah last season, leading the Utes in tackles from the interior defensive line position with 38 — the eighth most tackles on the team. Though a bit undersized (he admits he's still putting on mass), he's already shown he can play on the D-line in the Power Four. The question now is, will he usurp a starting position from one of the returning Wolverines, or will he be a role player, coming in off the bench?

Either way, Lea'ea has a skill set that's different than Trey Pierce and Enow Etta. He shared more on Wednesday about what he brings to the table and how that perhaps differs from some of his internal competition.

"I think I bring a lot of speed inside, which is something that you don't see too often," Lea'ea said. "And I think I'm able to use my athletic ability to make plays. So that's probably my answer."

We've seen other players follow Kyle Whittingham or defensive coordinator Jay Hill to Ann Arbor from Utah. And each has their own reason for wanting to play for the maize and blue.

For many, they wanted to continue to be coached by those who had developed them up to this point. While that may be true for Lea'ea, there's a bigger reason why he wanted to come and wear a winged helmet. And it has a lot to do with what Michigan has tended to produce up front.

"I think it was an opportunity to play for the Big Ten, and it was just too good to pass up with the coaching staff that I already knew," Lea'ea said. "And when you look at the past for a D-lineman at Michigan, I can't remember the last time a D-lineman hasn't been drafted out of Michigan. So that's kind of my reasoning."

Fans will get an opportunity to see Lea'ea in action on April 18, when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Jonah Lea'ea explains Michigan football transfer from Utah

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