BREAKING NEWS: 5-Star QB Stuns Florida State by Decommitting and Flipping Commitment to Tennessee Over Georgia and Miami

In a shocking move that sent shockwaves throughout the college football world, five-star quarterback phenom Malachi Owens has officially flipped his commitment from Florida State to the Tennessee Volunteers, choosing the Vols over final contenders Georgia and Miami. Owens, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic quarterback prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, made his announcement Monday afternoon via social media, ending weeks of growing speculation about the future of his recruitment.

The news comes as a devastating blow to Florida State, who had worked tirelessly to keep Owens locked into their 2025 class. Meanwhile, it’s a massive, high-profile recruiting win for Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel, who has made landing an elite quarterback a top priority for the Vols’ push toward returning to national prominence.

Owens’ decision marks one of the most dramatic flips in recent recruiting memory — and one that could have seismic effects across the college football landscape heading into the 2025 season and beyond.

From the moment Malachi Owens first emerged as a high school sophomore in Marietta, Georgia, it was clear he was destined for greatness. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds, Owens combines prototypical size with a rare blend of athleticism, arm strength, and poise. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket, along with a cannon arm capable of making every throw, had scouts raving and blue-blood programs across the nation jockeying for his services.

Florida State earned a commitment from Owens nearly a year ago, in June 2024, beating out early interest from Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia. His pledge was viewed at the time as a program-defining moment for Mike Norvell’s Seminoles, signaling their return to the national recruiting elite.

However, behind the scenes, Owens’ recruitment never fully quieted. Tennessee, Georgia, and Miami all remained heavily involved, with Vols offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and head coach Josh Heupel continuing to pitch Owens on the vision of leading an explosive, quarterback-friendly offense in Knoxville.

Sources close to Owens’ camp said the turning point came earlier this spring when he made multiple private visits to Tennessee’s campus — visits that went notably unreported to the public until today’s flip announcement.

According to Owens, the decision to flip his commitment boiled down to three major factors:

1. Offensive System Fit:
   Owens was drawn to Josh Heupel’s high-octane, pass-happy offense that emphasizes vertical shots downfield and quick decision-making. Heupel’s track record developing quarterbacks — including NFL stars like Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton IV — gave Owens confidence that Tennessee would maximize his talents.
2. Path to Early Playing Time:
   While Tennessee currently boasts a talented quarterback room, insiders say Owens believes he has a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job by his sophomore year. With the expected departure of veteran players after the 2025 season, Owens saw a clearer and faster path to the field in Knoxville compared to Tallahassee or Athens.
3. Relationships:
   Sources say the relationship between Owens and Tennessee’s coaching staff, particularly Halzle and Heupel, was pivotal. The staff made Owens feel like a priority from day one, building trust over time even while he was publicly committed elsewhere.

Owens said in a statement released on social media:

“After a lot of prayer, reflection, and talking with my family, I’ve decided to flip my commitment to the University of Tennessee. I’m beyond excited to be a part of the Volunteer family and to play for a program that I believe is on the rise. Thank you to Coach Heupel and the entire staff for believing in me. I can’t wait to get to Knoxville and get to work. Go Vols!”

The immediate reaction in Tallahassee was one of disbelief and disappointment. Florida State fans, who had envisioned Owens as the cornerstone of their 2025 class, expressed frustration on social media. The Seminoles coaching staff now faces the daunting task of either trying to win Owens back (an unlikely scenario) or pivoting quickly to secondary quarterback targets.

For Florida State, the loss of a player of Owens’ caliber can’t be overstated. With College Football Playoff aspirations growing under Mike Norvell, missing on an elite quarterback recruit introduces serious questions about the program’s long-term outlook at the most important position on the field.

Recruiting analysts also noted that Owens’ decommitment could trigger a ripple effect. Other top recruits considering FSU — particularly wide receivers and tight ends who wanted to play alongside Owens — could now reevaluate their options, further complicating the Seminoles’ 2025 class.

Tennessee fans, meanwhile, erupted in celebration. Landing a five-star quarterback — especially one who flipped from a top-tier program like Florida State — represents another massive win for Heupel and his staff, who have now stacked three straight top-10 recruiting classes.

With Owens now on board, Tennessee’s 2025 class is poised to vault even higher in the national rankings. He becomes the headliner of a group that already includes five-star wide receiver Dante Young, four-star running back Trey Winston, and top offensive lineman Marcus Porter.

Recruiting analysts believe Owens’ commitment could lead to a domino effect, with several elite pass-catchers now eyeing Tennessee even more seriously.

247Sports National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn put it bluntly:

“Tennessee just landed a program-changing player. Malachi Owens is the kind of quarterback you build championships around. His flip from Florida State signals that the Vols are back on the national stage in recruiting, and they’re not going anywhere.”

While Tennessee fans are understandably celebrating tonight, insiders caution that Owens’ recruitment may not be entirely finished. With months to go until the Early Signing Period in December, rival programs like Florida State, Georgia, and even Miami are unlikely to give up easily.

Still, the momentum now clearly rests with Tennessee. Owens has already scheduled an official visit to Knoxville for June and plans to enroll early in January 2026.

The SEC was already the toughest conference in college football — and now it’s only getting tougher with another elite quarterback entering the league.

Owens’ commitment signals that Tennessee is ready to go toe-to-toe with Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Texas for conference supremacy. It also reignites the already heated rivalry between Tennessee and Georgia, especially given that the Bulldogs were considered a major finalist for Owens’ signature.

For Georgia, missing out on Owens hurts but isn’t catastrophic. Kirby Smart and his staff have several other blue-chip quarterbacks on their board, and the Bulldogs have recruited at an elite level for nearly a decade.

Miami, meanwhile, appeared to be in strong position to make a late push for Owens, but sources say the lack of continuity in the Hurricanes’ offensive system compared to Tennessee hurt their chances.

Analysts and scouts are nearly unanimous in their praise of Owens’ game.

Strengths:

• Elite Arm Talent: Can throw lasers across the field or drop deep passes perfectly in stride.
• Mobility: Dangerous as a runner; can extend plays and pick up key first downs with his legs.
• Poise and Leadership: Rarely rattled, even under heavy pressure; teammates gravitate to him naturally.
• Football IQ: Processes defensive coverages quickly and adjusts on the fly.

Areas to Develop:

• Consistency with Mechanics: At times, Owens relies too heavily on his arm strength rather than fundamentals.
• Decision-Making: Like many young quarterbacks, he occasionally trusts his arm a bit too much and tries to force throws.

Overall, he projects as a potential future first-round NFL Draft pick if he continues to develop as expected.

Malachi Owens’ flip from Florida State to Tennessee marks one of the most stunning and significant moves of the 2025 recruiting cycle. It’s a defining moment for Josh Heupel’s program — a clear message that the Vols are serious about chasing championships in the new era of college football.

For Florida State, it’s a devastating loss that will leave a scar unless they can regroup quickly. For Tennessee, it’s nothing short of a program-altering victory — and potentially the start of a new golden age on Rocky Top.

Stay tuned. Owens’ story — and Tennessee’s surge — is just getting started.