VOLS LAND ANOTHER BIG ONE: Four-Star Two-Way Star Salesi Moa Commits to Tennessee
Good afternoon, Vol Nation! This is your ESPN Cleveland 101.3 sports desk with breaking news from Rocky Top that’s got Tennessee fans buzzing this Thursday.
The Volunteers just landed their second massive recruiting win of the week, and folks, this one’s got some serious star power behind it. Four-star prospect Salesi Moa - that’s M-O-A - out of Fremont High School in Utah has officially committed to Tennessee, and let me tell you, this kid is special.
We’re talking about the No. 35 overall prospect in the entire 2026 class according to ESPN’s rankings, the fifth-best wide receiver in the nation, and Utah’s second-ranked recruit. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Moa brings that versatility that Josh Heupel loves - he’s planning to play both sides of the ball for the Vols as a receiver AND defensive back.
Now here’s where it gets interesting for you sports fans - this young man’s got championship DNA running through his veins. His father? None other than Ben Moa, who was tearing it up as a tight end at Utah back in 2003 as a Mackey Award semifinalist before taking his talents to the NFL with Miami and the Jets. And get this - the elder Moa later stepped into the octagon as a UFC fighter.
The recruitment came down to a heavyweight battle between Tennessee, Utah, Michigan, Washington, and Michigan State. But it was Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope who sealed the deal, rolling out that orange carpet treatment that Knoxville does so well.
“They showed me everything they could do for me,” Moa told ESPN. “Coach Pope made me know it was the right place for me to get developed into an NFL player. They do that every year.”
This commitment comes hot on the heels of four-star Joel Wyatt’s pledge just Monday, giving Tennessee two top-100 recruits in one week. Moa now sits as the second-highest rated commit in the Vols’ 2026 class, trailing only five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon.
On the field, this kid can flat-out play. Last season at Fremont - after transferring from Weber High - Moa hauled in 58 catches for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 40 tackles and two picks on the defensive side. That’s the kind of production that gets SEC coaches’ attention real quick.
Tennessee’s 2026 class now ranks 15th nationally with nine ESPN 300 prospects, and with Moa planning to enroll early in January, the Vols are building something special for the future.
This is ESPN Cleveland 101.3, and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest from SEC country. Back to you in the studio.
Good afternoon, Vol Nation! This is your ESPN Cleveland 101.3 sports desk with breaking news from Rocky Top that’s got Tennessee fans buzzing this Thursday.
The Volunteers just landed their second massive recruiting win of the week, and folks, this one’s got some serious star power behind it. Four-star prospect Salesi Moa - that’s M-O-A - out of Fremont High School in Utah has officially committed to Tennessee, and let me tell you, this kid is special.
We’re talking about the No. 35 overall prospect in the entire 2026 class according to ESPN’s rankings, the fifth-best wide receiver in the nation, and Utah’s second-ranked recruit. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Moa brings that versatility that Josh Heupel loves - he’s planning to play both sides of the ball for the Vols as a receiver AND defensive back.
Now here’s where it gets interesting for you sports fans - this young man’s got championship DNA running through his veins. His father? None other than Ben Moa, who was tearing it up as a tight end at Utah back in 2003 as a Mackey Award semifinalist before taking his talents to the NFL with Miami and the Jets. And get this - the elder Moa later stepped into the octagon as a UFC fighter.
The recruitment came down to a heavyweight battle between Tennessee, Utah, Michigan, Washington, and Michigan State. But it was Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope who sealed the deal, rolling out that orange carpet treatment that Knoxville does so well.
“They showed me everything they could do for me,” Moa told ESPN. “Coach Pope made me know it was the right place for me to get developed into an NFL player. They do that every year.”
This commitment comes hot on the heels of four-star Joel Wyatt’s pledge just Monday, giving Tennessee two top-100 recruits in one week. Moa now sits as the second-highest rated commit in the Vols’ 2026 class, trailing only five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon.
On the field, this kid can flat-out play. Last season at Fremont - after transferring from Weber High - Moa hauled in 58 catches for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 40 tackles and two picks on the defensive side. That’s the kind of production that gets SEC coaches’ attention real quick.
Tennessee’s 2026 class now ranks 15th nationally with nine ESPN 300 prospects, and with Moa planning to enroll early in January, the Vols are building something special for the future.
This is ESPN Cleveland 101.3, and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest from SEC country. Back to you in the studio.
Posted in Tennessee Vols