In a seismic shift on the college football recruiting trail, 5-star wide receiver Malik Anderson has officially decommitted from Ohio State and announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee, stunning Buckeyes fans and beating out Alabama in the process. The move instantly shakes up the 2025 recruiting landscape and delivers a major win for Josh Heupel and the Vols.
Ranked as the No. 2 wide receiver and a top-10 overall prospect in the 2025 class, Anderson’s decommitment comes after months of speculation surrounding his recruitment. Despite being locked in with Ohio State since early February, the South Florida native quietly reopened his recruitment following a string of unofficial visits — most notably to Tennessee and Alabama in June.
His announcement came via a social media post that simply read:
> “I’m home. Rocky Top, let’s work 🍊 #GoVols”
The commitment video showed Anderson donning a Tennessee jersey on the Neyland Stadium field, a not-so-subtle message that the Vols had won this high-stakes battle. According to recruiting insiders, Anderson’s growing relationship with Coach Heupel and Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope played a critical role in the decision.
Why the Flip Happened
Sources close to Anderson say that his connection with Tennessee’s offensive system was “unmatched.” With the Vols known for their explosive, receiver-friendly scheme under Heupel, the fit seemed natural for a playmaker of his caliber. Anderson, who tallied over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, is widely praised for his elite route running, burst off the line, and ability to high-point the football — traits that thrive in Tennessee’s vertical attack.
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s loaded wide receiver room, while attractive, may have made Anderson reconsider his early pledge due to competition for early playing time. Alabama, long considered the dark horse in this race, was in it until the end but couldn’t overcome Tennessee’s momentum and vision for Anderson’s future role.
A Massive Win for Tennessee
With this flip, Tennessee’s 2025 class rockets into the national top five. Anderson becomes the Vols’ highest-rated commitment in the class and immediately raises the ceiling of what Heupel’s offense could look like in the next few years. Pairing him with recent 4-star QB commit Mason Johnson only adds to the excitement.
This recruiting win also sends a message: Tennessee is no longer just trying to climb back to relevance — they’re officially competing with the sport’s elite for top-tier talent. Beating out Ohio State and Alabama in the same recruitment is proof of that.
What’s Next
For Ohio State, the loss stings — especially with the expectation that Anderson would headline another star-studded wide receiver class. While the Buckeyes will look to rebound, Tennessee fans have every reason to celebrate.
Malik Anderson’s flip could be remembered as a turning point for the Vols’ return to SEC supremacy. With his speed, skill, and swagger, Rocky Top just landed a star who’s ready to shine under Neyland’s bright lights.
