SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has found success at the defensive tackle position in the Kyle Whittingham era, sending players like Star Lotulelei to the NFL. Recently, there has been no shortage of talent at the defensive tackle position with players like Lowell Lotulelei, Filipo Mokofisi, Leki Fotu and John Penisini.
Viane Moala could be the next great defensive tackle to come through the program.
Moala, a senior, is a 6-6, 315-pound transfer from Hawaii. Originally from American Samoa, Moala played for Hawaii his freshman and sophomore seasons — finishing with 12 tackles while playing 14 games (starting two) in his freshman year and racking up 38 tackles with a forced fumble over 10 games (seven starts) in his sophomore season. Following his sophomore season, Moala transferred to Utah, originally as a walk-on, but was placed on scholarship.
“It was hard trying to leave my family, all of my friends back in Hawaii, but it was something that me and my family thought would be better for me,” Moala said.
Moala saw snow for the first time in his life in 2018, when he sat out a year due to NCAA transfer rules.
“It was hard sitting out, watching them play. It made me want to play even more. All throughout my redshirt season, all I just got to think about is getting better, every day,” Moala said.
Adjusting to Utah’s program, weather and altitude wasn’t easy at first for Moala, but he got more comfortable with the program, and he credited his coaches and teammates for making the transition better.
“The coaches, the boys, it made it easy for me — coming from a different program, coming into being a new guy — and how they just welcomed me with open arms and made it easy,” Moala said.
After his year of residency during the 2018 season, Moala had two years to play two and made his first appearance as a Ute in Provo, donning the red uniform for the first time when the Utes beat BYU. He played all 14 games last season as a backup to Fotu and Penisini. Moala finished with 14 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
“It felt good helping out, trying to contribute to the team and trying to do anything to help them win,” Moala said during the first week of spring camp prior to practices being shut down due to COVID-19.
Moala learned a lot about the game from Fotu and Penisini, both of whom declared for the 2020 NFL draft and went through the combine.
“Our D-tackle room, we were all close to each other — basically like brothers. I learned a lot from those two, off and on the field,” Moala said.
Defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha is excited to see what Moala can do in an increased role the season.
“One of the greatest features about him is his mobility, just his athleticism for such a big guy like that. Just to see a guy move like him is an awesome thing. Strong, but quick as well.” — Utah defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha
“One of the greatest features about him is his mobility, just his athleticism for such a big guy like that. Just to see a guy move like him is an awesome thing. Strong, but quick as well,” Po’uha said.
Po’uha comes back to the word presence a lot when talking about Moala, and it’s an apt way to describe the 6-6, 315-pound senior.
“A presence. He’s a guy that you know when he’s out there. He plays with a presence. When you know that you have someone that plays with a presence, that means that the opponent’s eyes and attention has to be on him,” Po’uha said. “You can’t ignore him.”
Moala has big shoes to fill with the departure of Fotu and Penisini, but Po’uha just wants to see Moala be the best version of himself.
“The best thing that Viane can do for him is be the best Viane that he can be. I know we had two great D-tackles here, but those two were once behind Lo (Lowell Lotulelei) and Filipo (Mokofisi),” Po’uha said. “The rotation goes on, are they going to be able to fill in those shoes? I think if they just play their shoes the best that they can, they’ll be more dangerous than they were to try to fill someone else’s shoes.”