"I want to have the opportunity so she (my mother) ain't gotta work again": 5-star TE Kendre Harrison on leveraging NIL for family stability

Five-star tight end Kendre Harrison transferred from Reidsville High School to Providence Day School in Charlotte earlier this year. The move fuelled speculation that his decision was driven by the potential to capitalize on his NIL value.

However, Kendre Harrison returned to Reidsville just a few weeks into the high school football season, where he was immediately eligible to play. His back-and-forth transfers caught the media's eye, but his position on NIL opportunities is clear.

"I feel like it should have been happening in public schools, but just having the opportunity that I have now, having an opportunity to provide for my community, provide for myself, provide for my family, you know, if it happens that I get NIL deals with any company, just being in a position to have the opportunity to do those things, it’s just a blessing," Harrison told High School OT.

Kendre Harrison has also expressed that his desire to earn NIL money stems from a deep commitment to support his family.

"I have an opportunity to take care of my family at a young age, before college, because I've got two more years before I go to college," he said. "My mom having to work three jobs, I want to have the opportunity so she ain't gotta work again ... to never have to worry about anything."

This discussion on NIL rights comes amid a ruling by a Wake County Superior Court judge, which allows high school athletes in North Carolina to profit from their NIL.

This ruling overturns a temporary ban imposed earlier this year, which had restricted NIL deals for student-athletes until the 2025-26 season. High school athletes across the state now can start benefiting from their NIL, just like their counterparts in college sports.

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Kendre Harrison is set to visit Tennessee for a game-day experience

Kendre Harrison is busy making a fall tour of unofficial visits, and his next stop is Knoxville on Oct. 19 for the highly anticipated Tennessee-Alabama game. It will mark his fourth visit to Tennessee, having previously visited in March and April.

“I definitely enjoyed seeing what they did with the tight ends and how they space them out and get them open,” Harrison told Vol Quest. "Getting to spend the day at Tennessee was a great experience.”

Tennessee has had success recruiting top players from North Carolina, including James Pearce Jr., David Sanders and Faizon Brandon, who has built a strong relationship with Harrison. In addition, Harrison has developed a strong bond with Tennessee tight ends coach Alec Abeln.

“My relationship with him is good,” Harrison said. “When we do get on the phone, and I do get up to Tennessee, it has been like we talk everyday. The connection is really good between me and when. When I talk to him, he shows me the stats of the tight ends, and what they do, and what I can do.”

Tennessee has a 16.1% chance of securing Kendre Harrison’s commitment for its 2026 class, which already has two pledges.