Oakland three-star football athlete Dawn Morris had seven SEC teams in her top 10 Friday afternoon.
But by the end of the weekend, the former Pac-12 team and Big Ten newcomer acquired Morris, committing to Southern California during a visit to Los Angeles on Sunday.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Morris said of whether he thought he would commit to the Trojans right away after being released: “I don't know until I fully understand (Lincoln head coach) Riley's offense and how it operates. “It was,” he said. his top 10.
“Actually, I was shocked. The way they attacked me, against a versatile player like me, fascinated me. Once you get a chance and an opportunity, you don't want to waste that opportunity. It's one of the schools where you can't do that.”
Morris had SEC schools Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M in his top 10, along with Colorado, Louisville and USC.
Morris is listed as the No. 27 player in the nation and the No. 16 player in Tennessee in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite.
After visiting Los Angeles for the first time, he knew the Trojans were the right fit. His close contact with USC running backs coach Anthony Jones, who scouted him when Jones was coaching at TCU, remained with him after he earned the position with the Trojans. Continuation was a big factor.
“When he left TCU, I was one of the first people he called. And when he got there (to the University of Southern California), he offered me and said I was a priority. It alerted me to something,” Morris said.
Their relationship began when Jones was coaching at Memphis.
Morris said the environment at USC was “different” than other places he had been.
“I loved it,” Morris said. “From the coaching staff to the recruiting staff…everyone. I really liked the atmosphere. The coaching there is a different kind of thing. USC is just one of those schools. It's a great running back school. There's a lot of history. Yes, especially versatile running backs.
“Being a private school and one of the top schools in the country, you can't beat that. I felt like it was a great choice for me as well. Coach Jones will play a big role in academics, first of all. That was huge.'' It's a step forward for me, realizing how prestigious this school is. ”
more:Meet Murfreesboro Area Football's top college football freshmen for the 2025 and 2026 classes.
He broke out in his junior season in Oakland after transferring from Chattanooga. A Class 6A Mr. Football finalist and first-team all-area performer for the Tennessee Titans, he rushed for 2,012 yards, added 568 receiving yards and scored 36 total touchdowns, leading the Patriots to the Led them to the 6A Blue Cross Bowl.
Morris still plans to take an unofficial visit to Colorado from April 25-28 and an official visit to Auburn from June 7-9. He also said he is likely to revisit Tennessee, a state he has already visited.
“I know that schools are going to continue to come after me, so that's going to make it a little bit harder,” Morris said. “I'm committed to USC. I have to stay calm. Whatever happens next, happens next. But for now, I'm committed to the Trojans.” I’m here.”
