Former Red Bank High School running back Daune Morris has become Tennessee’s 25th commitment for the 2025 signing cycle, switching his nonbinding pledge from Southern California to the Volunteers on Monday.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder committed to USC in April and visited the Trojans in June, but the Murfreesboro Oakland senior took an unofficial visit to Tennessee on Nov. 2, when the Vols defeated Kentucky 28-18. He then took an official visit to Knoxville this past weekend and committed.
“I mean, it’s different to play in the SEC,” Morris told 247Sports.com. “That’s something I dreamed of. If you’re a dog, you’re going to play in the SEC.”
Morris is a three-star prospect on the 247Sports.com composite rankings, where he is listed as the nation’s No. 29 athlete prospect and the No. 498 overall recruit. He is projected to play running back for the Vols and would be the second running back in this class, joining Justin Baker of Buford High near Atlanta.
Baker committed to the Vols on Oct. 25, 2023.
After leading Red Bank to the Class 4A semifinals in 2022, Morris transferred to Murfreesboro Oakland in July 2023 and became a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist last season. He rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 36 touchdowns for a Patriots team that defeated Boo Carter and Bradley Central 38-17 in last season’s 6A semifinals before falling to Houston 24-9 in the BlueCross Bowl at Finley Stadium.
Murfreesboro Oakland is 12-1 this season and faces Maryville on Friday night with the opportunity to return to Chattanooga.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Chattanooga native and former Red Bank star Daune Morris, who plays for Murfreesboro Oakland now, has flipped his commitment from USC to Tennessee.