Breaking News: Five-Star WR Dakota Thomas Decommits from Southern Miss Golden Eagles , Chooses Auburn tigers Over Tennessee and South Carolina
In a major shakeup in college football recruiting, five-star wide receiver Dakota Thomas has officially decommitted from the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and has announced his commitment to the Auburn Tigers. This decision comes after months of speculation, as Thomas had initially pledged to Southern Miss but recently opened up his recruitment again, leading to a fierce battle among powerhouse programs.
Thomas, who is widely regarded as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 recruiting class, chose Auburn over the University of Tennessee and the University of South Carolina, both of which had been making strong pushes for his commitment. His decision marks a significant win for Auburn, who continues to build a strong recruiting class under head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers’ recent success in landing high-profile recruits like Thomas is a clear indicator of the program’s growing momentum.
Dakota Thomas had been committed to Southern Miss for nearly a year, but as his senior season progressed, the attention from larger programs grew. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 200 pounds, Thomas possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and ball skills that make him a major asset for any offense. His ability to stretch the field and make contested catches in critical moments had earned him a reputation as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country. This ability to excel on both short and deep routes made him a highly sought-after prospect for many of the nation’s top programs.
The decommitment sent shockwaves through the Southern Miss community, as the Golden Eagles were hopeful that Thomas would help lead their offense into the future. However, the reality of competing with SEC and Power Five schools was always going to be a tough challenge for Southern Miss, and the allure of playing in the SEC ultimately proved to be too much for Thomas to resist.
Auburn’s recruitment efforts were spearheaded by Freeze and his coaching staff, who made a concerted effort to connect with Thomas both on and off the field. Freeze, known for his offensive prowess, has promised to utilize Thomas in a way that will maximize his talents in Auburn’s up-tempo offensive system. This promise likely played a major role in Thomas’ decision to commit to the Tigers.
Tennessee and South Carolina were also heavily involved in the recruitment, with both schools offering Thomas a chance to play in high-profile conferences with access to national exposure. Tennessee, in particular, had made significant inroads with Thomas, building a strong relationship through their coaching staff and offering him the chance to join a program on the rise. Similarly, South Carolina, under head coach Shane Beamer, had shown strong interest, offering the opportunity to contribute early in their offense.
However, Thomas ultimately felt that Auburn, with its combination of recent coaching changes and emphasis on offensive development, provided the best fit for his future. His commitment to Auburn is seen as a major boost to the Tigers’ program, which has been building a strong recruiting class that includes several other blue-chip prospects.
As Thomas prepares for his arrival in Auburn, all eyes will be on his development as a player in the SEC. With his combination of physical tools and playmaking ability, he is expected to make an immediate impact on the field and quickly become a key weapon for the Tigers’ offense.