"Lincoln Riley bout to catch the first ticket out": NCAAF fans take a dig at USC as they lose the commitment of RB commit to Tennessee Volunteers

It has been a rough stretch of days for the USC Trojans’ 2025 recruiting class, which includes Lincoln Riley. Three-star running back Duane Morris is the latest prospect to rescind on their commitment to the Trojans in favor of another program.

Morris flipped his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers on Monday following recent de-commitments from USC of four-star defensive back Shamar Arnoux and five-star quarterback Julian Lewis.

Various reactions have trailed Morris’ flip from USC on social media, with suggestions that Riley might be on his way out of the program too.

A college football enthusiast on Instagram wrote:

“Lincoln Riley bout to catch the first ticket out.”

Another Instagram user echoed the view and wrote:

“Lincoln Riley is going to transfer next damn!!!”

A fan stated the obvious when they wrote:

“USC has been going out bad lately.”

A USC fan, writing with a somewhat sarcastic tone, stated:

“Oh no 3 star running back how will we ever recover.”

The reaction from the USC camp notwithstanding, Tennessee fans were only too eager to welcome Morris. A Vols fan probably spoke for the entire fanbase when they wrote:

“HOME SWEET HOME.”

Reactions to Duane Morris' flip from USC

What Duane Morris’ loss means to USC and Lincoln Riley

Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, Duane Morris is a three-star running back from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In reality, Morris can play in multiple positions and is ranked the No. 29 ATH nationally per 247Sports Composite.

The versatile prospect pledged his commitment to Lincoln Riley's USC in April. A flipping trend has characterized the 2025 college football recruiting class as the early signing period draws close. However, Morris’ decommitment from USC still leaves a bad feeling among the Trojans’ camp.

If Trojans fans thought Arnoux and Lewis were random and isolated instances, Morris’ flip has gone to establish a pattern. And it is a pattern they should be worried about.

However, the flip might have more to do with other factors than Lincoln Riley's ability to keep important recruits in a competitive college football landscape.

Morris, for instance, is a Tennessee native and proximity to his home is a factor that can't be overlooked. Notwithstanding, Riley and USC cannot keep losing their best recruits to rivals if they are going to be competitive in the Big Ten.

The Trojans are 4-5 in conference play this season, with an overall 6-5 record going into their final regular season matchup with Notre Dame.