didn’t quite know what to expect when he traveled to Tennessee this weekend for an official visit with the Vols. He had never been there and wasn’t sure if it would be the right choice to continue his college career.But the Stanford defensive lineman felt differently at the end of the weekend trip to Knoxville. He announced Sunday afternoon that he committed to the Tennessee game, giving the Vols a veteran defensive lineman with plenty of experience and two seasons under his belt.The 6-foot-2, 303-pound Moi chose Tennessee over Washington. He was a sophomore this season and has three years to play in the last two seasons..
“I think it just checked all my boxes,” he told GoVols247 before announcing his decision. “I could go to a place where football, it’s almost like a religion here and people support their players and they really love the program.”And then from a coaching standpoint, it’s a great fit. I know that I will be taken care of not only as a footballer, but also for the development of my character and just my well-being. The resume of (defensive) coach (Rodney) Garner and the players he produced and (defensive coordinator Tim) Banks and (head) coach (Josh) Heupel, whose program is constantly on the rise..
He finished the year with 15 tackles, including a tackle for loss and half a sack, and one pass breakup. He was also credited with a pair of quarterback hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, he was ranked as Stanford’s second-best defensive lineman in the 2023 season.Moi took an official visit to Arizona earlier this month after entering the NCAA transfer portal on December 31 , and he arrived in Washington on an official visit with the Huskies before learning that former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer had left for Alabama. But he admitted he wasn’t sure he belonged in Tennessee until he traveled to Knoxville with his family this weekend.
“I was very nervous about my visit,” said Moi. “I didn’t know how I fit in. I asked how I would like to be here. But I think the South is very similar to the Polynesian culture after visiting. Everyone is very welcome.“It’s really like a family. Not to sound too cliche, but it just feels like a big family.”He said he’s excited to call Tennessee home.” If all goes as planned, he hopes to return to Knoxville on Wednesday to start spring classes. semester and join officially Vols.”I think right after the coaching changes (at Arizona and Washington) and coming here and really experiencing it, it was a clear decision where I should be,” Moi said..
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