Five-Star Running Back Trey Cooley Commits to Tennessee Vols After Decommitting from Purdue, Shunning Offers from SEC Powerhouses Alabama, Auburn, and Florida Gators: A Testament to the Vols’ Growing Reputation in College Football Recruitment

In the ever-intensifying world of college football recruiting, few commitments send ripples through the sport like that of a five-star prospect flipping from one program to another—especially when that flip comes at the expense of some of the most storied programs in the SEC. Such was the case this past week when elite running back Trey Cooley stunned the recruiting world by decommitting from Purdue and announcing his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers, despite heavy late pushes from Alabama, Auburn, and the Florida Gators.

Cooley’s decision marks a watershed moment for Tennessee—a statement of intent that the Vols are not just relevant again in college football’s upper echelon but becoming a true recruiting powerhouse capable of beating out traditional SEC blue bloods for premier talent.

Who is Trey Cooley?

Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 205 pounds, Cooley is the kind of dynamic playmaker that programs build championship hopes around. The Charlotte, North Carolina native has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, not just for his physical attributes but for his versatility and football IQ.

In his senior season at Myers Park High School, Cooley rushed for 2,178 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding 738 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns. His ability to dominate on the ground and through the air made him the No. 1 all-purpose back in the nation, according to several recruiting services. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 11 overall player in the Class of 2025, and Rivals placed him firmly in their top ten.

Originally committed to Purdue during his junior year, Cooley’s pledge was seen as a potential program-changer for the Boilermakers. But as his stock continued to soar and powerhouse programs began circling, the writing was on the wall: Purdue would have a hard time holding on to the nation’s top back.

Why Tennessee?

At first glance, Tennessee seemed like an unlikely landing spot given the prestige and recent championship pedigree of the other schools in the mix. Alabama and Florida both offered clearer paths to the College Football Playoff. Auburn had just brought in a high-powered offensive coordinator. But Trey Cooley’s decision wasn’t just about prestige—it was about fit, relationships, and the future.

In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Cooley explained, “Tennessee just felt like home. The coaches didn’t just want me as a player—they wanted me as a person. Coach [Josh] Heupel laid out a vision for how I’d be used, and it blew me away. I want to be a part of something special, something that’s building. And Tennessee is building something big.”

Indeed, Josh Heupel’s staff has done a masterful job reshaping the Vols into a destination program. Since taking over, Heupel has reinvigorated the offense with a tempo-heavy scheme that ranks among the best in college football. More importantly, he’s backed it up on the recruiting trail with elite classes, player development, and clear pathways to playing time.

Beating the Big Dogs

What makes Cooley’s commitment especially significant is not just that Tennessee landed him, but who they beat to get him. Alabama and Nick Saban (still consulting post-retirement), Auburn under Hugh Freeze, and a resurgent Florida program all made serious pushes in the final weeks.

Alabama, long considered the gold standard in running back development, reportedly offered Cooley the opportunity to be their featured back in Year 1. Auburn pitched a creative dual-role position, akin to Deebo Samuel’s usage in the NFL. Florida leaned heavily on NIL potential and proximity, trying to make a late run with multiple in-home visits.

Yet, Tennessee held steady. Running backs coach Jerry Mack reportedly formed a close relationship with Cooley and his family, flying out to Charlotte on multiple occasions to break down game film and show exactly how Cooley would be deployed. The Vols’ staff didn’t just offer hype—they showed a plan.

“I respected that they didn’t make it all about hype,” Cooley said. “They made it about football, about development, and about being ready for the next level.”

NIL and the New Recruiting Frontier

It would be naive to ignore the role that Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) played in Cooley’s recruitment. Though exact numbers haven’t been disclosed, sources close to the recruitment revealed that Tennessee’s NIL collective, Spyre Sports Group, put together one of the most compelling packages in the country—focused not just on money, but on branding and long-term earning potential.

While Florida reportedly pitched one of the highest upfront offers, Cooley and his advisors were drawn to Tennessee’s more sustainable NIL structure. Through partnerships with local businesses, apparel brands, and media training programs, the Vols painted a picture of not just short-term success but lasting impact.

“There’s a maturity in how Cooley approached this process,” said one national recruiting analyst. “He wasn’t chasing the flashiest offer. He was looking for the total package—development, fit, and a professional pathway. And Tennessee gave him that.”

What It Means for Tennessee

Landing Trey Cooley isn’t just a win—it’s a recruiting milestone. For years, the Vols have flirted with elite recruiting classes but often came up short when it came to landing transcendent skill-position players. Cooley changes that narrative.

His commitment gives Tennessee its highest-ranked offensive recruit since quarterback Nico Iamaleava and solidifies the Vols’ status as a legitimate top-five recruiting power. It also sends a strong message to other top recruits: Tennessee isn’t playing second fiddle to Alabama or Georgia anymore. They’re coming for the crown.

On the field, Cooley is expected to contribute immediately. With star running back Dylan Sampson likely heading to the NFL after the 2025 season, Cooley will have every opportunity to make his mark as a true freshman. Some insiders have even speculated that Cooley could be used in a hybrid role—lining up in the slot and returning kicks in addition to his work out of the backfield.

“This is a Day 1 impact guy,” said a former SEC coach now working in media. “He can change games with one touch. He’s built for this level.”

The Ripple Effect

Recruiting is often a domino game, and Cooley’s decision could spark a wave of momentum for Tennessee. Already, multiple top-100 players have taken to social media to express excitement about joining forces with Cooley in Knoxville. Wide receiver DeAndre “Flash” Mitchell, a four-star prospect from Atlanta, posted a picture of himself in a Tennessee jersey with the caption: “Let’s make history, @TreyCooley.”

There’s also talk that Cooley’s commitment could impact Tennessee’s pursuit of five-star offensive lineman Landon Gregory, who has been leaning toward Georgia. Sources close to Gregory say he’s intrigued by the idea of blocking for a “generational” back.

Josh Heupel and his staff know how crucial these moments are. One elite commitment can spark a class; a class can spark a season; and a season can define an era.

Looking Ahead

For Trey Cooley, the decision is just the beginning. The real work begins now. He’ll be expected to live up to enormous hype, to carry the hopes of a fanbase desperate for a return to national relevance, and to grow into a leader both on and off the field.

But if his high school career is any indication, Cooley is up to the task.

“Trey is the most disciplined, humble, and driven athlete I’ve ever coached,” said Myers Park head coach Jeff Simons. “Tennessee isn’t just getting a football player. They’re getting a culture-changer.”

For Tennessee, the goal now is to turn this momentum into results. The Vols have a favorable schedule in 2025, with key games against Florida and Georgia coming at home. If Cooley can help spark an early-season win streak, he could become the face of a new golden era in Knoxville.

Final Thoughts

In a sport where perception often dictates reality, Trey Cooley’s commitment to Tennessee sends a loud, undeniable message: the Vols are back, and they’re here to compete with the best.

They didn’t just land a five-star running back. They landed the five-star running back. They beat Alabama, Auburn, and Florida to do it. And they did it with a vision, a plan, and a belief in something bigger.

As Cooley himself put it: “This is just the beginning. We’re about to put Tennessee back on the map—for real.”