Jaxson Moi didn’t know exactly 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 it would be the right fit for him to continue his college career.
But the Stanford defensive lineman felt differently by the end of his weekend stay in Knoxville. He announced Sunday afternoon that he has committed to Tennessee, giving the Vols a veteran defensive lineman with plenty of experience and two remaining seasons of eligibility.
The 6-foot-2, 303-pound Moi picked Tennessee over Washington. He was a sophomore this season, and he has three years to play his final two seasons.
“I think it really just checked all my boxes,” he told GoVols247 before publicly announcing his decision. “I could go to a place where football, it’s almost like a religion here, and people really support their players and they really have tons of love for the program.
“And then, coaching-wise, it’s a great fit. I know I’m going to be cared about, not just as a football player, but the development of my character and just well-being, as well. The resume of (defensive line) coach (Rodney) Garner and the players that he’s produced, as well as (defensive coordinator Tim) Banks and (head) coach (Josh) Heupel having the program on a steady incline.
“I’m just so excited to be a part of it and try to bring a championship back to Tennessee.”
Moi, a former standout at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, appeared in all 12 of Stanford’s games in 2023 and made seven starts. He was in the starting lineup for the Cardinal’s final six games of the season.
He finished the year with 15 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a half-sack, along with one pass breakup. He also was credited with a pair of quarterback hurries. He graded out as Stanford’s second-best defensive lineman during the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Moi took an official visit to Arizona earlier this month after entering the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 31, and he arrived at Washington for 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 whether he belonged at Tennessee before traveling to Knoxville with his family this weekend.
“I was very nervous going into my visit,” Moi said. “I didn’t know how I’d fit in. I was questioning how I’d like it out here. But, I mean, after visiting, the South is very similar to Polynesian culture. Everyone is very welcoming.
“It’s truly like a family. Not to sound too cliche, but it just feels like a big ol’ family.”
He said he’s “excited to call Tennessee home.” If everything goes according to plan, he expects to return to Knoxville on Wednesday to begin spring-semester classes and officially join the Vols.
“I think, just after the coaching changes (at Arizona and Washington) and just coming up here and really experiencing it, it was a clear decision where I’m supposed to be,” Moi said.
Moi said it didn’t hurt that Tennessee has a couple other players of Polynesian heritage in freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a former five-star prospect from Warren High School in Downey, Calif., and senior linebacker Keenan Pili.
“I didn’t meet (Iamaleava), but I met Keenan Pili and also Coach ‘Dogg,’ the recruiter,” Moi said, referring to Vols recruiting analyst Aaron Amaama. “Just knowing that I have those guys around me so, if I ever need to get away from the daily life and just feel at home, I know I have them, so that was also a big plus on my commitment here.
“But I was excited. I wanted to kind of go on my own path and start something new. You don’t see too many Polys out here, other than Keenan and Nico, obviously, coming out to the SEC, so I just think it’s pretty cool — and try to get a Poly pipeline from the West Coast to Tennessee.”
Tennessee’s coaches, led by Heupel and Garner, made Moi feel right at home, too. Moi said he was impressed by “how genuine” Heupel was.
“You could tell he wasn’t putting on a front,” Moi said of Heupel. “You could tell he truly cares about his players, that he’s really a players’ coach, and a really personable person. Just really trying to get to know you on a deeper level.
“Coach G, it was really cool, getting to meet him, just getting to understand his process, his way of developing great D-linemen. I know it’s going to be hard work, and he’ll be hard on his players. But he’s going to love them and celebrate their successes just as passionately.”
Tennessee has a handful of experienced veterans returning at defensive tackle, led by senior starter Omari Thomas and Omarr Norman-Lott, who was a junior this season. Moi said he’s hoping to be part of the Vols’ rotation right away, and the expected departures of at least a few seniors after the 2024 season could allow him to take on an even bigger role in 2025.
“They have great guys returning, so just being able to hopefully get in that rotation and work hard, and really just be a key contributor to that defense and bring that West Coast play style to the South,” Moi said. “I’m excited to show people what I can do.”
