The college football world was shaken this week as one of the top prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, a player long coveted by the Tennessee Volunteers, officially announced his de-commitment from the USC Trojans. The decision, while not entirely unexpected to those close to the situation, has nonetheless sent shockwaves across the landscape of recruiting—particularly in Knoxville, where the buzz surrounding the elite recruit has now reached a fever pitch.
The recruit in question is none other than 5-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore, widely regarded as one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the country. Ranked among the top 10 players overall in the 2025 class and the No. 1 wide receiver in several rankings, Moore’s departure from USC opens a massive door for programs across the nation, including Josh Heupel’s Tennessee Volunteers, who have been relentlessly pursuing the Duncanville, Texas, standout for over a year.
Moore took to social media to announce his de-commitment, stating: “After long talks with my family and much thought, I have decided to de-commit from the University of Southern California. I want to thank the Trojan coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity, but I feel it’s best to re-open my recruitment at this time. No love lost. #RespectMyDecision.”
His carefully worded statement left little room for speculation about any bad blood between Moore and USC, but it certainly reignited recruiting conversations coast to coast. While schools like Texas, LSU, and Oregon are firmly in the mix for Moore’s services, Tennessee has quietly, yet steadily, gained traction with the receiver over the past few months. Now, with his recruitment back on the open market, the Vols may be in their best position yet to land the generational talent.
Josh Heupel and his staff have made it a top priority to add elite playmakers to their offense, which has become one of the most dynamic and high-scoring units in college football under his leadership. Moore fits that mold perfectly—he’s fast, physical, and possesses an advanced understanding of route concepts for a high school player. His ability to create separation, win contested catches, and take the top off a defense has made him the dream target for quarterbacks and coaches alike. And in Tennessee’s system, Moore’s talents would likely be maximized from Day 1.
Sources close to Moore’s recruitment say Tennessee has remained in close contact with the 5-star receiver throughout his time as a USC commit, carefully respecting his prior decision while also continuing to present the vision and opportunity available in Knoxville. That vision includes early playing time, a role in one of the nation’s most aggressive passing attacks, and the chance to be the face of a revitalized Southeastern Conference program.
Tennessee’s quarterback pipeline also plays a major role in Moore’s considerations. With 5-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava already generating national attention and younger signal-callers waiting in the wings, Moore sees an opportunity to step into a stable situation where the quarterback play won’t be a question mark. That’s not something many other programs can offer consistently. The Vols’ offense, under Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle, has consistently ranked among the top in the country in yards per game and scoring, and it has helped launch players like Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman into the NFL.
Moore’s de-commitment also signals a deeper trend that’s becoming increasingly common in modern college football recruiting: the volatility of long-term commitments. With the NCAA transfer portal reshaping how programs approach building rosters and with NIL opportunities now part of the equation, many top prospects are rethinking their decisions, often de-committing late in the cycle as they evaluate the best personal, financial, and competitive situation for their future.
In Moore’s case, sources have pointed to a number of factors influencing the decision. While USC offered a marquee program and the allure of Southern California, questions around offensive production and quarterback stability following Caleb Williams’ departure may have played a role. Additionally, the growing strength of SEC programs in competing for NIL support and national exposure has made it harder for even historically elite programs like USC to hold onto top-tier talent from across the country.