Tennessee Secures Flip of RB from USC
The Tennessee Volunteers have successfully flipped three-star running back Duane Morris, who had been committed to USC since April. Morris, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee native, chose to stay closer to home following a strong recruitment push by Tennessee in recent months.
The Volunteers’ persistence paid off after Morris’s latest visit to Knoxville. He attended the Kentucky game a few weeks ago and later returned for an official visit during Tennessee’s homecoming weekend against UTEP. On Monday night, Morris made his decision official, announcing his commitment to Tennessee.
Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, Morris is considered the 16th-ranked prospect in the state of Tennessee and is listed as the 498th overall player in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Morris becomes Tennessee’s 25th commitment for the 2025 recruiting cycle. He joins fellow three-star running back Justin Baker, who has been committed to the Volunteers for over a year. The pair adds depth to Tennessee’s running back room and forms a promising tandem behind freshman standout Peyton Lewis, who is viewed as a key piece of the program’s future backfield.
The timing of Morris’s commitment is significant, as he plans to enroll early and join the team within the next few weeks. This aligns with the adjusted early signing period, which was moved up to accommodate the expanded College Football Playoff.
Tennessee’s recruiting efforts have been strong in this cycle, with their class now ranked 7th nationally by 247Sports. Morris’s addition helps solidify the Volunteers’ standing among the nation’s elite recruiting programs for 2025.
The flip from USC highlights Tennessee’s ability to keep top in-state talent at home while competing with major programs on the national stage. Morris’s decision underscores the Volunteers’ upward trajectory under head coach Josh Heupel, who continues to build a competitive roster capable of contending in the SEC.
With Morris now on board, Tennessee looks to maintain its recruiting momentum as it prepares for a bright future in the increasingly competitive landscape of college football.