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Four-star athlete Salesi Moa will not play for the Utah Utes in the 2026 college football season. He has opted to enter the transfer portal before ever taking a snap.
In fact, he’d barely been gotten to campus before deciding to leave. His transfer decision comes days after enrolling at the university, with a potential landing spot already surfacing.
Utah incoming five-star Class of 2026 athlete signee Salesi Moa has entered the transfer portal with a do not contact tag, @chris_hummer and I have learned.
Had just signed with Utah in December. pic.twitter.com/PBnchOsXqo
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 12, 2026
Moa has entered the portal with a Do Not Contact tag on Tuesday. That often indicates that the prospect has his next stop in mind.
In Moa’s case, that appears to be Michigan. Family ties could help lift the Wolverines in his recruitment.
Who is Salesi Moa?
The four-star talent can play both wide receiver and defensive back. It seems his future at the college level will start on offense.
Moa was rated as a Top 100 prospect in his high school class. He was the top player in the state of Utah. The athlete opted to stay home and play for the Utes after a flirtation with Tennessee.
Much has changed since his December signing.
Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham was hired by Michigan. He took much of his staff along with him to Ann Arbor.
Despite the departure, Moa remained firm on his pledge.
“In the end, Utah is where I can build a legacy,” he said after the signing. “I want to be legendary, and I want my name cemented in the history of Utah football. This is my home, and this is where I’m writing my story. My dad went to Utah, and I’ve always been able to picture myself there.”
He enrolled with at the school on January 5th. One week later, he entered the portal.
Michigan is the projected landing spot.
The Wolverines hired the head coach that recruited him in Whittingham. They also brought in his uncle, and former Utah defensive assistant, Lewis Powell.
Given the relationship with the coaching staff, recruiting experts believe Salesi Moa will transfer to Michigan.
That means ditching his father’s alma mater to chase current family ties. Ben Moa was at tight end for the Utes before a brief NFL career.
His son will not follow suit.
For the Wolverines, it could be a package deal, too. The program has also offered Salesi Moa’s brother, Aisea, who most recently played at Michigan State after a three-year stay at BYU.
For the Utes, it means a separation with the talented football star before the marriage even started.