Jackson Moi ‘exceeding expectations’ for Tennessee
Tennessee has made a habit during the Josh Heupel era of plucking defensive linemen from the (former) PAC-12 and turning them into productive players in the SEC trenches. This year’s version of the Vols’ West Coast transplant is former Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Jackson Moi.
Moi is a California native who found what he was looking for in the transfer portal thousands of miles from home.
It’s a similar path that Caleb Trembley took from USC in Heupel’s first year in Knoxville. Omar Norman-Lott grew up in California, but transferred in last fall from Arizona State and was a major surprise, registering 5.5 sacks from the interior of the Vols’ defensive line.
Tennessee would love to see Moi have a similar impact this fall.
He’s already exceeded the expectations that veteran defensive line coach Rodney Garner had for him.
Garner obviously liked Moi, otherwise the Vols wouldn’t have pursued him in the portal, but he’s exceeded what Garner was expecting to see from him since he arrived in the spring.
“I was really excited about Jackson when he went in the portal and us recruiting him and all that. Obviously I had one plan for him. He came in and he probably exceeded what I had in mind so he sort of deviated my plan,” Garner said of what he’s seen from Moi to this point.
“I think Jackson’s gonna be a really good player for us and obviously he’s a tremendous leader. He’s gonna command respect in that locker room from everybody. His teammates respect him. They like him, all of them. So I couldn’t be more excited to have him in my room than any other guys.”
Moi comes off as an easygoing, very personable young man, as Garner alluded to. It’s easy to see why he’d be well liked by his teammates.
That sunny disposition belies a tough competitor who has welcomed the challenge of proving himself to his new teammates and staff.
No one knew exactly what Tennessee was getting in Moi when he picked the Vols. At worst he was going to be a developmental guy who would provide depth this year. With all the depth that Tennessee has up front it wasn’t even out of the question that Moi might even redshirt.
That stopped being a thought in anyone’s head early in spring practice.
“Coming in here I don’t think that Coach (Garner) or people knew the skills that I had. I think I was able to showcase a little bit of my versatility in spring ball and turn some heads,” Moi said of exceeding expectations.
“It’s been good, but there’s still a long way to go. I’m definitely just trying to show people what I’ve got.”
Moi, like most defensive linemen who have Power Five experience, was a hot commodity in the transfer portal. It’s an understatement to say that he had a ton of options to pick from when selecting what jersey he was going to wear next.
On the surface, with so much experience coming back, Tennessee wouldn’t maybe look like the most attractive pick for a transfer looking for a new home.
The Vols are bringing back tons of experience in the interior with Norman-Lott, Omari Thomas, Elijah Simmons and Bryson Eason just among the seniors.
Moi wasn’t deterred.
“I knew when I hit the portal I wanted to be part of a really explosive defense with a lot of D-line production. I saw that was prominent here with Coach Banks’ defense,” Moi.
Obviously, with what Tennessee had returning Moi knew he was going to have to compete. That was fine with him. In fact, he brings an extremely mature mindset to the whole notion of competition and fighting for playing time.
“I knew that if I came here I was going to have to compete, but I know that if I make it to the next level I’m going to have to compete. I’m not afraid of competition, it’s been great.
“The older guys, we compete, but I’d say it’s ‘competitive, not combative.’ We lift each other up, we want to do great, but we don’t want any guy doing bad. It’s a great atmosphere, a great environment.”
Moi is following in what can fairly be called at least a ‘mini-West Coast pipeline’ of defensive linemen trickling into Tennessee.
It’s not just been the big guys in the trenches from out west that want to check out Tennessee. Bru McCoy and (former kicker) Chase McGrath both moved on from USC to Knoxville.
Moi admits there’s plenty of curiosity about the SEC and football in the South from the ‘Cali kids.’ Finding out just what it’s all about was definitely part of Moi’s motivation for picking Tennessee.
“There’s definitely, for sure, a curiosity about the SEC. Speaking personally for me and a lot of guys I grew up playing with on the West Coast we have no idea about the South or the SEC. So growing up we always wanted represent the West Coast,” Moi said. “Being introduced to the SEC and the doors that open up when you come out here, it’s been a blessing.
“My mom and dad, they’re telling my aunts and uncles, every time I go back home about hundreds of thousands of people at the Vol Walk. Just for them to be able to experience these moments with me is a blessing, I’m thankful to be here.”
Tennessee’s defensive front was expected to be one of the deepest and most talented in the SEC even before Moi picked the Vols.
Now that he’s in Knoxville and ‘exceeding expectations,’ that defensive front could be even nastier than anticipated.
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