Why Tennessee commit Salesi Moa hasn't signed as Utah makes late push

Tennessee football is still waiting for four-star athlete Salesi Moa to sign as the first day of the early signing period winds down.

Utah and Michigan made a late push to poach the coveted prospect, who has been committed to Tennessee since July 31. But Moa did not sign with the Vols on Dec. 3, when they locked up the bulk of their 2026 signing class.

The early signing period extends through Dec. 5.

Moa is a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Ogden, Utah. He is a four-star prospect who could thrive at wide receiver, safety or returner at the college level. He is ranked the No. 3 athlete and the No. 45 player overall in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports Composite.

How Utah, Michigan got in Salesi Moa competition with Tennessee

On July 31, Moa committed to Tennessee over Utah, Michigan, Michigan State and Washington. That was quite a victory for the Vols because Moa’s father, Ben, played at Utah and then in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. And his two brothers play for BYU and Michigan State.

Utah continued its late attempts to keep Moa in his home state to play for his dad's alma mater, and Michigan remains an option.

Moa re-opened his recruitment very late in the process. On Nov. 29, he took an unofficial visit to Michigan for the Wolverines’ 27-9 loss to Ohio State.

Rivals and 247Sports both reported that Moa enjoyed his visit, but it appeared he was still planning to sign with Tennessee.

“I could see myself playing on this Michigan defense, but still locked in with Tennessee,” Moa told 247Sports.

At Tennessee, Moa likely would start his career at wide receiver. He projects more as a defensive back at Michigan. It's unclear what position Moa would play at Utah, but the Utes want desperately to keep a legacy player in his home state.

Moa’s decision not to sign on the first day of the early signing period doesn’t indicate that Tennessee has lost him.Remember that five-star offensive tackle David Sanders didn’t sign with Tennessee until the second day of the early signing period in 2024, finally choosing the Vols over Ohio State.

Nevertheless, UT fans will be stressed until Moa signs the dotted line with Tennessee.

The bad news of Moa's delay was softened for the Vols when they flipped four-star athlete Legend Bey from Ohio State. But UT still wants to land as many playmakers as it can get.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected]. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Salesi Moa: Tennessee football commit hasn't signed as Utah makes late push