Utah’s football program is facing a tough time after the sudden exit of one of their top recruits. Salesi Moa, a highly rated four-star athlete from the 2026 class, has officially entered the transfer portal—just a week after enrolling at Utah. His departure adds to the ripple effect caused by the recent coaching changes, especially the exit of longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham, who has now taken over at Michigan.
Salesi Moa’s Short Stint at Utah
Moa’s decision to leave Utah so soon didn’t come out of the blue. The wide receiver had originally committed to Tennessee, only to flip his commitment to Utah right after the early signing period. But when Whittingham left for Michigan on December 26, things changed quickly. Moa entered the transfer portal on January 12 with a “do not contact” tag, which usually means the player already knows where he’s heading next.
According to reports, Michigan has emerged as the front-runner to land him, and it’s no coincidence. Moa is a player Whittingham truly believes in and was part of his original recruitment plan.
Why Moa Decided to Leave
Moa has made it clear that the decision to leave wasn’t easy. He spoke highly of Utah’s coaching staff, especially defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley and new wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis. Still, he admitted that he has bigger goals in mind—both short-term and long-term.
“Utah is always going to be close to my heart…it is a big stage, but I want to play on an even bigger stage,” Moa told On3’s Greg Biggins.
For Moa, Michigan offers just that. It’s a national-level program with a wider spotlight and stronger exposure, especially under Whittingham’s leadership.
Mass Exodus Following Whittingham’s Exit
Moa isn’t the only one to leave. Several key members of Utah’s coaching staff have also exited, including:
- Offensive Coordinator Jason Beck
- Jim Harding
- Micah Simon
- Lewis Powell
- Koy Detmer Jr.
- Doug Elisaia
This massive shake-up has left Utah in rebuilding mode, especially when it comes to recruiting and retaining top talent.
Moa’s Potential Role at Michigan
The 6-foot-2 athlete from Fremont High School in Ogden, Utah, was named Region 5 MVP and had offers from over 24 schools nationwide. Though he’s a versatile athlete who could play both offense and defense, scouts say his best fit is at wide receiver.
Michigan had previously tried to recruit him as a defensive back, but Moa remained firm about playing offense. Now, with Whittingham calling the shots at Michigan, the two seem perfectly aligned.
He’s expected to join a strong group of receivers, including Travis Johnson, Jaime Ffrench, and JJ Buchanan—players who have also joined the Wolverines via the transfer portal. With Brady Marchese leaving for Auburn, Moa might be the perfect addition to fill that gap and bring explosive playmaking ability to the team.
What’s Next for Utah?
With Whittingham gone and top talents like Moa following him, Utah now faces the challenge of rebuilding both its staff and roster. The team will need to work hard to keep existing talent and attract new prospects in the coming months. For fans and players alike, it’s a period of big change—and a test of the program’s long-term strength.
Moa’s story shows just how quickly college football can shift. In a matter of weeks, he went from being Utah’s biggest recruit to potentially becoming Michigan’s next star receiver. Whether his move pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Moa is chasing a bigger dream, and Michigan might just be the right place for it.
