Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks Poised to Land 5-Star Tight End
In college football recruiting, predictions from Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports are often spot-on, earning the nickname “Fong Bombs.” Last night, Wiltfong logged a prediction that Oregon is poised to land a commitment from Kendre Harrison, a 2026 5-star tight end from Reidsville, North Carolina. The 6-7, 243-pound athlete is set to announce his decision on November 30, with his final six schools being Florida State, Penn State, Tennessee, Miami, North Carolina, and Oregon.
Harrison, who was named MaxPreps’ 2023-24 Male National Athlete of the Year, had an impressive sophomore year. On the football field, he caught 5 passes for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns, helping Reidsville win the 2A North Carolina State Championship. He also excelled in basketball, leading his team to a state title with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots in a thrilling 78-77 win over Farmville Central.
The combination of football and basketball experience is a significant asset for tight ends. NFL stars like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez made their mark in both sports, and Harrison’s background gives him the skills needed to succeed at the next level. Playing basketball teaches tight ends how to make catches in traffic, move fluidly, and leverage their body to secure key plays—skills that translate seamlessly to football, especially when it comes to grabbing passes over the middle or outmuscling defenders in the end zone.
Harrison has all the tools to be a standout player. As a 9th grader, he averaged 21.5 points and 15.1 rebounds on the basketball court, while in football during the 2023 season, he hauled in 62 receptions for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns, in addition to posting 76 tackles and 9 sacks as a defensive end.
For Oregon, securing Harrison would be a huge boost to their 2026 recruiting class, which is already ranked No. 2 nationally. The class includes highly touted players like Mater Dei offensive tackle Kodi Greene, Texas running back Tradarian Ball, and defensive tackles Tony Cumberland and Tomuhini Topui.
The Ducks are looking to strengthen their tight end position with Terrance Ferguson and Patrick Herbert set to move on to the NFL after this season, and sophomore Kenyon Sadiq possibly heading for the NFL after just three years. The Oregon offense relies on multiple tight end sets, so depth at the position is crucial. The Ducks need tight ends who can block, lead the running game, and flex out as downfield receivers like Sadiq. Freshman Roger Saleapaga (6-4, 235, Orem, Utah) has shown promise on special teams, notably recovering the onside kick against Ohio State, but has not yet played a significant role in the passing game due to senior players ahead of him.
Oregon has already secured a commitment from four-star tight end Vander Ploog from Fullerton, California in the 2025 class, but they are still looking to add a second tight end to complete their roster for that year. Michigan commit Andrew Olesh recently visited Oregon, while a scheduled visit from Kansas prospect Linkon Cure was delayed due to snowstorm conditions on I-70.
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