Oregon Ducks 5-Star Freshman Tight End Demands Attention at Practice

Oregon Ducks tight end Kendre Harrison is showing what his 6-foot-7 frame can do in the red zone at practice with an impressive touchdown.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field during warmups as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

EUGENE - Oregon Ducks freshman tight end Kendre Harrison is standing out at practice, literally. The five-star recruit has a 6-foot-7 frame and is already showing how his unique size and athleticism could translate to the college level.

At this point last season, Oregon didn't know how massive of an impact their true freshmen class would have on its season. For example, running backs Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison, wide receiver Dakorien Moore, defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. each had prominent roles - Oregon ranked second behind only North Texas in touchdowns scored by true freshmen (26.) 

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field during warmups as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Is the youth movement set to continue in 2026? Which freshmen have the chance to emerge as immediate contributors?

Oregon Tight End Kendre Harrison's Impressive Touchdown

A new practice video of Harrison is turning some heads.

During Oregon’s sixth fall camp practice, the five-star freshman made a contested touchdown catch over freshman defensive back Xavier Lherisse. Harrison used his lengthy frame to establish position, secured the pass through tight coverage and maintained control as both players went to the ground in the end zone.

Oregon freshman TE Kendre Harrison showing what 6-foot-7 can do in the red zone 👀

🎥@oregonfootball #GoDucks https://t.co/kdZZHTKDzO pic.twitter.com/45usgFv02O

— Bri Amaranthus (@BriAmaranthus) August 12, 2026

The play also came against one of Oregon’s most versatile defensive newcomers. Lherisse arrived in Eugene as a consensus four-star recruit from Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida, who Oregon recruited to become part of its future in the secondary.

It's just one play but it does still matter. The highlight offered an early glimpse at one particular way Harrison could help the Ducks immediately - his catch radius in red zone packages.

July 27, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Kendre Harrison part of the top-ranked recruits flocked to Eugene for the 2024 Oregon Ducks Saturday Night Live ; Mandatory credit: Zachary Neel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Harrison arrived in Eugene as one of the most highly-anticipated members of coach Dan Lanning’s 2026 recruiting class.

The Reidsville, North Carolina, product was rated as a five-star recruit by multiple recruiting services. Oregon’s official roster lists Harrison at 6-foot-7 and 243 pounds, immediately making him one of the Ducks’ most interesting players.

With his size, if Harrison can continue to snag contested catches, he could become a specialized offensive weapon for quarterback Dante Moore and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer.

Oregon Ducks Kendre Harrison | Oregon Ducks on SI Bri Amaranthus

Dan Lanning On Kendre Harrison Playing Football and Basketball

The two-sport athlete, Harrison also brings his basketball expertise to the table.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning pulled the curtain back a bit with the current plan for Harrison, which is clearly to focus on making the leap from high school football to college football.

"It's always been the plan when he got here to focus on football first, and then we'll see with as that comes along, what opportunities present itself," Lanning said of Harrison after the spring game. "We just have to figure out what that's going to look like moving forward. And right now, it's probably about putting football to bed this spring and seeing what growth he still has to have from that standpoint."

So, it's football first for Harrison.

Tight end has been one of Oregon’s strengths over the past couple seasons. In 2024, Terrance Ferguson lead the position and then was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2025, Kenyon Sadiq starred for the Ducks at tight end and then was drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) reacts after a touchdown by a teammate against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Now, the scene is set for redshirt junior Jamari Johnson, who had a breakout year in 2025, hauling in 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns. He could have declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as well as Sadiq, but decided to come back to Eugene for 2026.

Lanning compared Johnson directly to Sadiq.

“Last year I sat up her talked about a tight end at Oregon and how special he was in Kenyon Sadiq. Jamari is also that special. He was a guy that we recruited out of high school. Actually he's a guy that used to play quarterback. He just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. He can run, he can block, he can catch," Lanning said.

The freshman Harrison has a prime opportunity to learn from Johnson this season.

Sadiq’s departure created additional opportunities in Oregon’s tight end rotation, but Harrison still enters a talented position group that also includes Johnson, Penn State transfer Andrew Olesh and Clemson transfer Markus Dixon.

As Ducks fans wait for the first game on Sept. 5, the practice highlight offers an early look at what Harrison could be bringing to Eugene.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.