Why Utah transfer Jonah Lea'ea chose Michigan football
Defensive tackle Jonah Lea'ea explains why he transferred to Michigan football, citing the Big Ten and NFL draft history.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There are some players that Michigan football got from the transfer portal who get more hype than others. Of course, edge rusher John Henry Daley, cornerback Smith Snowden, and wide receiver JJ Buchanan (both from Utah) garner the most headlines.
But there's another former Ute who very well could play a huge role for the Wolverines this year. Defensive tackle Jonah Lea'ea was integral up front for Utah last season, leading the Utes in tackles from the interior defensive line position with 38 -- the eighth most tackles on the team. Though a bit undersized (he admits he's still putting on mass), he's already shown he can play on the D-line in the Power Four.
The question now is, will he usurp a starting position from one of the returning Wolverines, or will he be a role player, coming in off the bench? Either way, Lea'ea has a skill set that's different than Trey Pierce and Enow Etta. He shared more on Wednesday about what he brings to the table and how that perhaps differs from some of his internal competition.
"I think I bring a lot of speed inside, which is something that you don't see too often," Lea'ea said. "And I think I'm able to use my athletic ability to make plays. So that's probably my answer.