2025 ATH Daune Morris commits to USC Trojans

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Oakland three-star athlete Daune Morris has committed to the USC Trojans.

Morris is the nation’s No. 495 overall prospect, No. 27 athlete and No. 17 recruit from Tennessee in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He’s the second pledge of the weekend for the Trojans, following Dinwiddie (Va.) County four-star running back Harry Dalton, who also committed on Sunday.

USC Class Breakdown

Another positive weekend for Lincoln Riley and his staff now brings USC’s recruiting class to 10 total commitments. The class ranks No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

It was a busy March 24 for Lincoln Riley and his staff at USC as four of the Trojans’ 10 commitments came on that day. Manchester (Ga.) five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry started things off by flipping from in-state Georgia. He was joined by Warner Robins (Ga.) top-40 EDGE Isaiah Gibson, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin top-70 safety Hylton Stubbs and Austin (Texas) Lake Travis defensive lineman Gus Cordova.

Carrollton (Ga.) five-star quarterback Julian Lewis is a comparatively long-time member of this USC class, having pledged to the Trojans back in August.

Since March 24, the Trojans have picked up commitments from San Clemente (Calif.) top-100 linebacker Matai Tagoa’i, Colleyville (Texas) Southlake Carroll three-star running back Riley Wormley, Upland (Calif.) three-star cornerback Trestin Castro and now Dalton and Morris.

Trojans continue to recruit in the South

USC has expanded its recruiting footprint, and that’s once again evident with the addition of Morris — the first pledge in the class from the Volunteer State.

“I think it’s extremely notable that USC is leaving the West Coast to compile this top talent early on in their foundation in the 2025 cycle,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said. “They’re expanding their footprint and recruiting nationally.”

Seven of the 10 commits in the class hail from either Georgia, Florida, Tennessee or Texas.

“When you look at USC and Lincoln Riley’s tenure there, they’re trying to compete at the highest level. They’re gunning for national championships and they’re chasing the best players,” Power said. “I think when you look at the best players at these premium positions in 2025, I think they’re going after them. The state of Georgia is loaded, there’s always top players in Texas, Florida. I think it’s a smart strategy and we’ll see if they can sustain it.”