The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545685
LINEBACKERS THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 103 • Named first-team All-Metro by Richmond Times-Dispatch and first-team All-Region in 2024. • Listed as a three-star prospect, the No. 790 overall player and No. 68 linebacker in the country and the No. 21 player in Virginia by the Rivals Industry Ranking. AISEA MOA • LB Gr. • North Ogden, Utah Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 238 • Transferred from Michigan State. • Appeared in all 12 games in 2025 with 12 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 2 passes defended for the Spartans. • Spent first three collegiate seasons at BYU. • Played in all 12 games in 2024 with one start, totaling 16 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. • Appeared in five games over first two sea- sons, recording his first career tackle in 2023. • Attended Weber High, contributing as a de- fensive lineman and tight end. • Brother of U-M freshman wide receiver Salesi Moa. • Four-star recruit, the No. 377 overall player and No. 36 EDGE nationally and No. 7 player in Utah, per Rivals Industry Ranking. Year GP/GS Tkls. TFL Sacks 2022* 2/0 0 0 0 2023* 3/0 1 0 0 2024* 12/1 16 0.5 0 2025^ 12/0 12 1.0 0 Totals 29/1 29 1.5 0 * at BYU ^ at Michigan State CHRISTIAN PIERCE • LB So. • Chicago Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 235 • Transferred from Western Illinois. • Appeared in one game dur- ing 2025 season. • Attended Brother Rice High (Ill.). • Helped Crusaders to 6-4 record and Division 7A playoffs as a senior. • Brother of senior defensive lineman Trey Pierce. • No. 1,038 overall prospect and No. 112 line- backer in the 2025 class and No. 26 player in Illinois, according to Rivals Industry Ranking. ADEN REEDER • LB Fr. • Monroe, Ohio Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 215 • January 2026 enrollee. • Attended St. Xavier High. • Recorded 77 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2025. • Posted 74 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 passes defended and 3 forced fum- bles during 2024 season. • Also lettered in track and field. • No. 662 overall player and No. 58 linebacker in the country, and No. 32 player in Ohio, ac- cording to Rivals Industry Ranking. NATHANIEL STAEHLING • LB Gr. • Baxter, Minn. Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 238 • Transferred from North Da- kota State in January 2026. • Spent four seasons at NDSU, appearing in 32 games dur- ing his career with 91 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 8 passes defended, 3 inter- ceptions and 2 fumble recoveries. • Team captain in 2025. • Totaled 75 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovered, 4 pass breakups and 3 interceptions in 13 games as a starter in 2025. • Appeared in five games in 2024, making 4 tackles. • Checked into 14 games in 2023 with 12 tack- les en route to first varsity letter. • Did not see game action in 2022. • Attended Brainerd High, also lettering in basketball, baseball, and track and field. • Played quarterback, running back, safety, punter and kicker during prep career. • Father, Joel, played at Augsburg College. Year GP/GS Tkls. TFL Sacks 2022 0/0 0 0 0 2023 14/0 12 0 0 2024 5/0 4 0 0 2025 13/13 75 6.0 1.5 Totals 32/13 91 6.0 1.5 Senior Troy Bowles (18) has the most returning experience in the unit, with 13 games played a year ago at linebacker and on special teams. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL