Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans are enduring a tough season, currently sitting at 4-5 after a loss to Washington in Week 10. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Volunteers are thriving at 7-1, following a thrilling win over Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. The game drew a large crowd, including several recruits, such as 4-star running back Daune Morris, who is currently committed to USC. However, Morris, a Tennessee native, has been impressed by the attention he’s receiving from Tennessee’s coach Josh Heupel and his staff. Following his visit, recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong predicted that Morris might flip his commitment to Tennessee, which would be a major victory for Heupel and the Vols.
Morris, who has over 30 scholarship offers from schools like Tennessee, USC, Auburn, and Kentucky, has already scheduled an official visit to Tennessee for November 23. His quick return to Knoxville after watching the Kentucky game hints at his growing interest in the Volunteers. Morris initially committed to USC in April, but with Tennessee making a strong push, a flip seems increasingly likely. If that happens, Tennessee would be in prime position to secure his commitment during the Early Signing Period.
Tennessee’s recruiting momentum continues to build, with coach Josh Heupel and his staff picking up significant wins. On Thursday, the Vols added 2026 4-star wide receiver Tyreek King to their commitment list. Later that evening, linebacker Brenden Anes announced he was flipping his commitment from Wisconsin to Tennessee. Anes, who had been committed to Wisconsin since January, began to shift toward Tennessee after an unofficial visit to Knoxville in October. The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker is a 3-star prospect and ranked the No. 61 linebacker in the nation.
Anes’ decision marks a win for Tennessee, especially against Big Ten programs like Wisconsin. Heupel is clearly making it a priority to keep top in-state talent, sending a strong message that the Vols will fight to keep their homegrown players, no matter the competition. Thursday’s dual commitments of in-state prospects highlight Tennessee’s growing recruiting success, with Heupel ensuring that other programs, especially from the Big Ten, won’t easily take Tennessee’s top talent.
