BREAKING: Tennessee Confirms flip for 5-star Oregon TE commit

In the world of college football recruiting, a verbal commitment often serves as the beginning, rather than the end, of the recruitment battle. Schools frequently intensify their efforts to flip a recruit even after a commitment is made, especially if they were close to securing the recruit initially. This dynamic has led to significant flips over the years, and the transfer portal era has further heightened the pressure on schools to retain their top recruits.

Currently, Oregon is facing such a challenge with 4-star tight end Da’Saahn Brame from Derby, Kansas. Brame committed to the Ducks in late June, but just a month later, reports from Steve Wiltfong of On3 suggest that Tennessee is aggressively pursuing Brame, hoping to flip his commitment.

Wiltfong noted that Tennessee’s tight ends coach, Alec Abeln, has been particularly relentless in his recruitment efforts. Abeln has successfully secured other high-profile commitments, including another 2025 four-star tight end, Jack Van Dorselaer, despite strong competition from schools like TCU, Michigan, Alabama, Baylor, USC, Texas, and Miami. This track record suggests Abeln is well-versed in navigating intense recruiting battles.

Adding to Tennessee’s appeal is head coach Josh Heupel, whom Brame has praised for his care and attention to his players’ well-being. Brame mentioned after his official visit to Tennessee that he was impressed by Heupel’s commitment to player development and his proactive communication with their families.

Flipping Brame would be a significant win for Tennessee. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Brame is ranked as the No. 5 tight end in the 2025 class by 247Sports. During his junior year at Derby High School, he caught 46 passes for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a top-tier tight end.

The ongoing recruitment battle for Brame underscores the competitive nature of college football recruiting, where commitments are often just another step in a long and dynamic process.