KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Stanford defensive lineman Jaxson Moi announced his commitment to Tennessee in January. Fast forward a few months later to fall camp, and the junior newcomer is already feeling at home in the locker room despite being over 2,000 miles away from his family.
"I’m a really big people person. I’m a big locker room guy," said Moi. "Just really getting to know Coach Heupel and his staff that he’s built and the players that are within this locker room. There was no better place for me.”
Moi is from Oceanside, California, and came to Tennessee without having a relationship with a single player on the roster. However, he did know of redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava. Both players are from Southern California and of Samoan descent, so growing up, Moi remembered Iamaleava being a "baller" in high school.
Moi explained that the Samoan community is tight-knit, so when Iamaleava contacted him right when he arrived in Knoxville, he felt grateful to be welcomed by the team's leader.
"He said if I ever need anything he's here for me," said Moi. "He didn't have to reach out, so just him going the extra mile to make me feel welcome, it meant a lot."
Moi explained that moving across the country and living in the South was a culture shock at first. However, having players like Iamaleava with similar backgrounds has likely made the adjustment easier.
"It's an awesome community to be a part of," said Moi. "Being able to relate to people that are out here and knowing you have others who came from the same upbringing as you, it's cool."
Even Moi's non-Samoan teammates are embracing those tight-knit community values he shares with them in the locker room. The Samoan word for "bro" is "uce," and Moi will often hear his teammates greet him with a "What's up, uce!"
"It's cool to be able to bring my culture and see how everybody embraces that here," said Moi. "It just means a lot."
