Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland three-star running back Daune Morris committed to USC on April 7 and is one of three running backs in the Trojans’ 2025 class.
SEC programs have been after Morris, however, including the local Tennessee Volunteers. On Tuesday, Morris announced that he’ll be in Knoxville this weekend to watch the Vols take on Kentucky.
Josh Heupel and his staff have lined up a big weekend of visits, with Morris being one of the latest to be added to the list. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder could be a target for UT as it could potentially look to add a second RB to its 2025 class.
“(Tennessee is) in the mix for in-state prospect and USC commit Daune Morris,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong wrote in September. “We’ll see if other names pop up but they’ll keep pushing for Morris.”
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.
Trojans running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr. led the charge for Morris, as the two had developed a relationship when Jones was at TCU. Once he made the move to Lincoln Riley’s staff, he continued his connection with Morris, who joined the fold in Los Angeles in the spring.
“Our relationship is real close and he understands me,” Morris said of Jones to WeAreSC. “He understands where I come from and everything like that. I feel like those type of relationships are the ones you want. Those are the coaches you want to be around. Coaches willing to push and build you up.”
Morris is flanked by Dinwiddie (Va.) three-star RB Harry Dalton and Colleyville (Texas) Southlake Carroll three-star Riley Wormley in USC’s class — which ranks No. 11 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Tennessee’s class — which ranks No. 8 in the nation — includes Buford (Ga.) three-star RB Justin Baker, who has been committed since Oct. 25, 2023. Another highly-touted recruit set to be on Rocky Top this weekend is Mineral (Va.) Louisa County four-star Savion Hiter, On3’s No. 1 RB in the 2026 cycle.
