2026 TE Kendre Harrison Shines At Elite 11, Why Tennessee Is Interested

Tight end is an important position in modern football, especially in Tennessee's offense. Head coach Josh Heupel employs a system predicated on quickly getting the ball into open space, and a mismatch at tight end can open up the entire field. The coaching staff has dedicated itself to revitalizing the position on Rocky Top, and that prospective transformation would begin with talents like 2026 tight end Kendre Harrison.

Standing out at the Elite 11 is difficult. There are tons of high-major talents in every position group, many of them upperclassmen. Yet, Harrison stood out from the moment he touched the field. He carries a legit 6-7 and 235-pound frame and looks every part of the basketball player he is. Harrison routinely throws down transition dunks and can do the same on the football field. He's a mismatch nightmare that dominated 7-on-7 periods with his superior leaping ability. Harrison high-pointed the football several times, and with his wingspan, it was impossible for defensive backs to get back in the frame.

Tennessee offered Harrison in January and got him on campus on April 1. The Vols liked Harrison a lot, and he returned their sentiments. He gave several glowing reviews of the visit, complimenting new tight ends coach Alec Ablen, who got a promotion after former tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Alex Golesh took the USF head coaching job. Abeln has done a notable job on the recruiting trail, getting in several high-profile recruitments already. Harrison has one of those recruitments - the major players are Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, and Alabama. He drew many comparisons on the sideline to Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, one of the most dominant blocking Y-tight ends college football has recently had.

Harrison isn't quite ready to line up next to SEC offensive tackles and start dealing out blows in the run game, but he already has the frame to do that eventually. He will make his mark in college by winning linebacker matchups in pass coverage and by becoming a willing blocker. Tennessee is already trying to get him back on campus, and it shouldn't be long before he is back in Knoxville.

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