Five-star tight end Kendre Harrison includes Penn State among top six schools
One of the nation’s top Class of 2026 prospects has Penn State among his top schools. On Monday evening, tight end Kendre Harrison from Reidsville, N.C., informed On3’s Chad Simmons that the Nittany Lions are one of six schools he’s now primarily focused on, joining Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Oregon and Tennessee.
Ranked No. 12 nationally by On3 and No. 1 overall at the tight end position, Harrison was offered by Penn State tight end coach Ty Howle back in Dec. 2022. That led to a visit last September for the White Out win over Iowa.
“The atmosphere was crazy,” Harrison said following the visit. “I loved every bit of it. I had a lot of fun and saw how they use the tight ends a lot. That’s definitely what I’m looking for in a school.”
With Harrison living just over an hour away from Chapel Hill, it’s no surprise that North Carolina has hosted him the most so far out of his top schools. He’s also been to Tennessee three times, with Florida State hosting him twice. Oregon is planning to host him for the first time at the end of July.
Listed at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Harrison also holds offers from multiple college basketball programs, including Penn State.
“I like their style of play on the basketball court,” Harrison said, referring to Penn State. “I know that they can develop me in basketball and football. It’s just a great place, again, man. I have a lot of fun when I’m up there.”
Below are Harrison’s thoughts on each of his top schools.
Kendre Harrison discusses top six schools
Florida State: “When I went down there, I had a great visit. That had an impact on me. The coaches treated me and my people like family. That really stood out to me. Then coach Mike Norvell has turned the program around and he is doing big things at Florida State.”
Miami: “I didn’t have Miami in my top 15, but after I visited, I loved it. It is an amazing place with the weather and the campus. I like coach Cody Woodiel a lot too. When I was down there, we watch film and broke things down. He talked to me like I was a player there already and we really connected.”
North Carolina: “It is a chance for me to stay home if I go to North Carolina. It is a great opportunity for me to play both sports too. I have real relationships with both coach Mack Brown and coach Hubert Davis too. North Carolina has history of guys playing both sports with Julius Peppers, so I know it can be done there.”
Oregon: “I talk with the Oregon coaches almost every day. It is Oregon too and it is a great opportunity. I just need to get up there and visit. They have history with tight ends, they develop players well and I feel they could develop me there.”
Penn State: “Penn State has been a top school for a long time. They have tight end history and it shows. They put guys at my position in the NFL. I have great connections with multiple coaches there too. They always treat me well and make me feel like a priority. I was at the White Out game last year and it was the best college football atmosphere I have been in.”
Tennessee: “I love Knoxville. Tennessee has amazing people and it is in an amazing place. Me and coach Alec Abeln have a great relationship. I talk to coach Josh Heupel a lot too. They have shown they can use me in the offense too and make me versatile all over the field.”
