Tennessee continued building its 2019 football recruiting class from the inside out Tuesday afternoon.
The Volunteers picked up a verbal commitment from four-star offensive lineman Wanya Morris of Loganville, Ga., during a ceremony in Atlanta.
Morris, ranked the seventh-best offensive tackle in the 2019 class by 247Sports, is Tennessee's fifth commitment for the 2019 class. The group consists of two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and a tight end.
Morris chose the Vols over Auburn and scholarship offers from numerous other Power Five schools, donning a Tennessee hat during the ceremony.
"It was a really hard decision," said Morris, who added that he feels Tennessee will "look after me" even after his football career ends.
Morris was committed to Florida State until Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher left for Texas A&M. Verbal commitments are nonbinding, and Morris's first opportunity to sign a national letter of intent will come in December.
His commitment could make Tennessee a more attractive option to running back and quarterback prospects. Morris and fellow Vols offensive lineman commitment Jackson Lampley, also a four-star prospect, provide a formidable foundation for the recruiting class.
"It's like a family there," Morris told reporters about Tennessee after he committed. "I love the atmosphere. The fans are amazing. I just believe in this coaching staff and believe they're going to change this program around."
Morris told reporters he visited Tennessee when Butch Jones was coach and "didn't really like it" but said the Vols are more disciplined now under Pruitt. Morris also said he talks to Tennessee offensive line coach Will Friend almost every day and likes the idea of helping rebuild the program.
"Be a part of something new, build your own name," he said. "I could have went to Auburn and probably won an SEC championship off the bat. But to rebuild a program and get it back to its normal basis, that sounds really good. Me and my mother really liked that."
Tennessee 2019 verbal commitments
Jackson Lampley | offensive lineman | Nashville (Montgomery Bell Academy) | Rivals/247 4-star
Jackson Lowe | tight end | Cartersville, Ga (Cartersville High) | Rivals/247 3-star
LeDarrius Cox | defensive tackle | Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen) | Rivals/247 3-star
* Darel Middleton | athlete | Oak Ridge, Tenn. (East Mississippi CC) | Rivals/247 3-star
Wanya Morris | offensive lineman | Loganville, Ga. (Grayson High) | Rivals/247 4-star
* Final determination has yet to be made on whether he will be part of the 2019 class.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.