BREAKING: 5-Star OT Carter Daniels Decommits from Tennessee, Flips Commitment to Auburn After Weighing Alabama and Florida Offers

BREAKING: 5-Star OT Carter Daniels Decommits from Tennessee, Flips Commitment to Auburn After Weighing Alabama and Florida Offers

 

April 17, 2025 — In one of the most seismic recruiting shifts of the 2025 cycle, five‑star offensive tackle Carter Daniels has officially decommitted from the University of Tennessee and pledged his future to the Auburn Tigers. Daniels, a 6‑foot‑6, 320‑pound lineman from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida, had previously taken official visits to Alabama and Florida before making his final decision on Thursday evening.

 

 

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A Roller‑Coaster Recruiting Ride

 

Initial Commitment to Tennessee

Daniels first gave his verbal pledge to the Volunteers on July 23, 2024, amidst a packed July evaluation period at Tennessee’s VolQuest camp. At the time, Tennessee’s offensive line coach, Darin Hinshaw, had impressed Daniels and his family with his track record of developing All‑Conference blockers. The Volunteers also dangled a reported NIL guarantee in the seven‑figure range, one of the largest on campus, as part of their Spartans Collective partnership.

 

Late‑Cycle Visits

Despite his early pledge to Tennessee, Daniels never closed the door on Alabama and Florida. He made an official trip to Tuscaloosa on April 5, 2025, touring the newly renovated Capstone facilities and meeting with OL coach Bill O’Brien. Two days later, he visited Gainesville and worked out with the Gators’ strength staff, who promised him a starting role from day one. Still, none of these visits yielded enough sway to change his mind—until Auburn entered the fray.

 

 

 

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Auburn’s Game‑Changing Pitch

 

Under second‑year head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn has aggressively pursued elite linemen to fortify its rebuild. Daniels took an official visit to Auburn’s campus on April 12, where he:

 

1. Met with Freeze and OL coach Kelvin Smith, who laid out a “left tackle in waiting” blueprint.

 

 

2. Observed spring practice, noting the physical style of play suited to his aggressive edge technique.

 

 

3. Spoke with current Tigers linemen, who emphasized Auburn’s family atmosphere and commitment to player development.

 

 

 

By the end of the visit, Daniels and his family felt that Auburn offered the best combination of scheme fit, immediate playing time, and proximity to home (a three‑hour drive from Gainesville). On April 13, Daniels informed Tennessee’s staff of his intent to enter the transfer portal, and just 48 hours later—on April 15—he made his Auburn pledge public via social media.

 

> “Auburn showed me exactly where I fit in their program,” Daniels said in his announcement. “Coach Freeze and coach Smith made it clear I’d be the left tackle they build around, and that’s a challenge I’m excited to take on.”

 

 

 

 

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Reactions From the SEC Landscape

 

Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers’ coaching staff expressed disappointment but understood the nature of late‑cycle recruiting. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly noted, “We respect Carter’s decision and wish him the best. We have plans in place to fill the left tackle spot, and this just accelerates our pursuit of other top‑flight linemen.”

 

Auburn Tigers

Coach Hugh Freeze hailed the flip as a “statement win,” adding: “Landing a talent like Carter Daniels shows recruits that Auburn is back on the rise. He has the skill set, work ethic, and character to anchor our line for the next four years.”

 

Recruiting Analysts

ESPN recruiting expert Greg Biggins called the move “a coup for Auburn,” noting that Daniels’ composite ranking of No. 8 nationally (per 247Sports Composite) and five‑star status locks Auburn into a top‑five class nationally. Analysts also pointed out that by beating out both Alabama and Florida, Auburn has signaled a growing momentum in its rebuild under Freeze.

 

 

 

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Implications for Tennessee’s Class

 

Daniels’ decommitment leaves a critical vacancy at left tackle in Tennessee’s 2025 board. The Volunteers had projected Daniels as a Day 1 starter, and now they must pivot quickly:

 

Already‑targeted Prospects

Tennessee has scheduled official visits for four‑star tackle Malik Jefferson (No. 23 OT nationally) on April 24, and extended a late offer to Notre Dame transfer Anthony Russo.

 

Transfer Portal Options

With the portal still open until May 1, Tennessee is monitoring graduate transfers like Maxwell Scott (Washington) and Jared Tillman (Oregon State) who could provide an immediate plug‑and‑play option.

 

Class Ranking Impact

Even with Daniels’ departure, the Volunteers remain in the top 10 of 247Sports’ national class rankings, but slipping behind Auburn—now projected as high as No. 4—makes securing other high‑end linemen a priority.

 

 

 

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What’s Next for Carter Daniels and Auburn

 

Enrollment Plans

Daniels plans to enroll this summer for Auburn’s spring camp, arriving in mid‑July for strength and conditioning workouts and to attend summer classes.

 

Competition and Depth Chart

He will compete with rising sophomore Deon Smith for the starting left tackle spot. Auburn’s coaching staff has indicated a potential rotation in fall camp but expects Daniels to earn the role quickly.

 

National Signing Day and Beyond

With the official signing period kicking off on December 18, 2025, Auburn’s haul of offensive linemen—including Daniels, four‑star guard Evan Rhodes, and three‑star center Luis Ramirez—positions the Tigers to rank among the elite OL classes nationwide.

 

 

 

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Broader Trends in SEC Recruiting

 

Daniels’ flip underscores several broader trends reshaping college football’s talent landscape:

 

1. NIL and Name‑Image‑Likeness Deals

Recruits are increasingly leveraging late NIL offers, as seen in Daniels’ shift from Tennessee’s $1 M+ guarantee to Auburn’s market‑matched package plus “in‑state bonus structures” via the Tigers Collective.

 

 

2. Player Autonomy and Transfer Portal Dynamics

Although Daniels never officially enrolled at Tennessee, his move through the portal highlights the intertwining of decommitment protocols and transfer eligibility rules.

 

 

3. Traditional Power Shifts

Alabama and Florida’s failure to close Daniels reveals cracks in their recruiting dominance—while Auburn’s ascent under Freeze threatens to rebalance SEC recruiting hierarchies.

 

 

 

 

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Bottom Line: Carter Daniels’ decision to decommit from Tennessee and flip to Auburn is more than just a single‑player move—it signals Auburn’s rising momentum, highlights the power of late‑cycle recruiting pitches, and sets the stage for a heated battle on the line of scrimmage when the Tigers host the Volunteers in Knoxville next fall. As the 2025 signing day approaches, both programs will double down on securing elite talent, knowing that the fortunes of an entire season can hinge on the strength of the trenches.