Tennessee flips 2025 RB Daune Morris from USC: 'The opportuity at Tennessee is great for me'

Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland three-star running back Daune Morris has flipped his commitment from USC to Tennessee.

He was pledged to the Trojans since April 7, but is now set to stay in-state, joining a top-10 recruiting class on Rocky Top under Josh Heupel and Co.

“It is a different standard when you are an in-state recruit and you get to stay home and play for Tennessee,” Morris told On3. “Tennessee has been pushing for a while, and I have been thinking about it for a few weeks. I really knew after the Kentucky game.

“I got there and saw again how genuine the people were, I felt the love from the fans and I just had that connection with everyone. The official visit this weekend was like the icing on the cake for me and may parents, but I have known about my decision for a few weeks. The opportunity at Tennesse is great for me.”

The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder has paid close attention Dylan Sampson and how he has excelled in Heupel’s offense. That and what Heupel is doing in Knoxville made this an easy decision.

“D-Samp has 20+ touchdowns and we are a lot alike. We are similar in size, we fit well into the offense and I see me having the chance to do a lot of what he does in the offense.

“The fit in the offense, being able to stay home and play for a coach like Heup all justifies my decision. People want to be in the building with coach Heup. He continues to build the program up, people want to be a part of it and he has created a great environment on and off the field.”

That environment inside Neyland Stadium is unlike any other in Morris’ eyes. He couldn’t even hear himself when he was there for the Kentucky game. He gets to play games inside there for his home state school, a head coach that he loves and a position coach that he has a special relationship with.

“Not many know this, but coach (De’Rail) Sims offered me one of my first scholarships,” Morris said. “He offered me at Louisville when I was there for a camp as a freshman. I have known him for a long time, and over time our relationship has only gotten stronger. That connection was another key for me in this decision.”

Morris is the No. 508 overall prospect and No. 41 RB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 15 player in Tennessee.