There is no doubt about the biggest need left on the Michigan football roster heading into next season: It's linebacker.
But on Saturday, the Wolverines took another step to address the position, adding former BYU and Michigan State linebacker Aisea Moa from the transfer portal.
If the last name sounds familiar, that's because Moa is the older brother of Salesi Moa, the No. 1 athlete available in the portal, who just committed to Michigan football on Friday night.
Salesi Moa was a 2026 signee of Utah, but entered the portal after his brother visited Michigan last week. The dynamic WR/DB is now in the fold, and so is his brother, a former four-star recruit who has played in 12 games each of the past two seasons for BYU and Michigan State.
BREAKING: Michigan picked up a new commitment from former Michigan State linebacker Aisea Moa, the Utah legacy who at one point was committed to Kyle Whittingham as a blue-chip high school recruit: https://t.co/vzHXWJzqfH pic.twitter.com/QGKDqwDjOF
— Blair Angulo (@BlairAngulo) January 17, 2026
Moa wasn't super productive for Michigan State last season, but had 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. The former defensive line recruit had 16 tackles and a forced fumble for the Cougars in 2024.
Michigan adds more competition to linebacker room with Aisea Moa
Moa is surely looking for more playing time. Michigan offers a great opportunity for that. There aren't any sure-fire starters right now at linebacker, although Nathaniel Owsus-Boateng is a strong bet to be in the starting lineup.
Still, there are snaps available. Moa can at least provide some quality depth and likely be a contributor on special teams.
Michigan might have to rely on a younger player or a veteran having a breakout season, and in that sense, Moa, a former four-star recruit, is as good a bet as any to be his most productive in his final season of college football.