Dayon Cooper, a 6‑foot, 180‑pound athlete from South Pittsburg, Tennessee, announced on Monday that he is flipping his verbal commitment from Florida State to the University of Tennessee.
The prospect is ranked No. 52 in the 2027 class and No. 32 among Tennessee players by 247Sports, a rating that reflects both his physical tools and his rapid ascent on the recruiting radar.
A Recruiting Turnaround
Cooper first received a scholarship offer from Eastern Kentucky on February 3, 2025, and subsequently attracted interest from a dozen other programs including Arkansas State, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Louisville, Wake Forest, Memphis, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Maryland, Middle Tennessee State, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State. He visited the Tennessee campus three times, the final visit coming after the Volunteers extended a Feb. 17 scholarship offer.
Tennessee’s 2027 football recruiting class now stands at 16 commitments, a tally that positions the Vols near the top of the SEC in early signing period activity.
The decision underscores the growing influence of the Volunteers’ coaching staff in the state’s talent pipeline and hints at a potentially deep roster in the years ahead.