Viliami Moala decommitment less of a shocker, more like business as usual in college football recruiting

Oregon sent two defensive linemen two the early rounds of the NFL last season, but the Ducks just lost three-star offensive lineman Viliami Moala, who decommitted Monday afternoon.
Oregon sent two defensive linemen two the early rounds of the NFL last season, but the Ducks just lost three-star offensive lineman Viliami Moala, who decommitted Monday afternoon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The word "commitment" has a fluid meaning in college football.

Formerly "locked-in, 100%" three-star defensive lineman Viliami Moala is on the move again, decommitting from Oregon and transferring from Willamette High School in Eugene to Alabaster High School in Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, about 55 miles from the University of Alabama.

Moala made the announcement on X, closing it with the ever-present phrase, "PLEASE RESPECT MY DECISION."

The 6-2.5, 340 defensive tackle is rated No. 547 in the 2026 class and the No. 58 DT. His departure, while mildly shocking, might indicate great things for the Ducks, who are currently in the final three for Suwanee, Georgia defensive tackle Deuce Geralds and Mobile, Alabama edge rusher Anthony "Tank" Jones.

A Polynesian Bowl All-Star, Geralds is quick and intense, a different type of lineman than Moala but one who has the makings of an impact player at the college level. The Ducks are battling for him along with Ohio State, Michigan and LSU.

Moala is on his third commitment and third high school, having previously played at Grant Union High School in Sacramento and committed to USC until October 13, 2024. He committed to the Ducks following a visit to Eugene for the first Ohio State game.

The Ducks still have 13 commitments in a class ranked No. 8 by On3 Sports. At defensive tackle they have a pledge from Williamette High former teammate of Moala's Tony Cumberland, 6-4.5, 285, a player Willamette head coach and former Duck fullback Josh Line calls, "the best athlete I've ever coached."

In a year where Texas Tech, Syracuse and Sacramento State have pulled down blue-chip recruits, nothing is guaranteed until signing day, and probably not even then.

Read More: