Josh Heupel and the Vols aren’t done with their 2025 recruiting class just yet. With Early Signing Day barely over a week out, Tennessee picked up a solid in-state weapon at running back and flipped him from another big-name school with a high-profile coach.
Daune Morris, a three-star across the board except for Rivals, where he is a four-star, flipped from the USC Trojans to UT Monday evening. Morris, who hails from Murfreesboro, Tenn., had been committed to USC since early April. Hayes Fawcett of ON3 announced his commitment on Twitter.
Standing at 5’10” 185 pounds, Morris is listed as an all-purpose back. He visited the Vols this past weekend as they beat the UTEP Miners 56-0 despite his commitment to USC, which is crazy since the crowd at that game would have been more raucous behind other games.
Either way, the product of Oakland High School in Rutherford County is a big pickup for Heupel and his program. Beating out Lincoln Riley, even for an in-state kid, is a huge deal if that kid had indeed already been committed to Riley. UT should be excited about that.
Recent success with Dylan Sampson, who was a 247Sports Composite three-star, had to play a role in Morris’ decision. Given the way Heupel and the coaches have relied on that aspect of the offense this year, it could even be more appealing than wide receiver.
Based on his highlight reel, Morris has incredible speed, cut-back ability and vision. The speed is obviously going to be relative to his level of competition, but the vision is still relative. He should be a great fit for what Heupel wants to run, and being an in-state guy only helps that further.
With Morris’ commitment, the Vols now have 25 players in their 2025 recruiting class, including two running backs. Justin Baker is the other pickup at the position. They are now No. 7 on the 2025 247Sports Composite class rankings too.
