Things are really starting to heat up in Knoxville, with Tennessee now getting a prediction to land Juke Harris from On3. The Vols have been all over his recruitment, going up against Michigan and North Carolina for the highly touted wing.
Tennessee predicted to beat out UNC and Ohio State for elite transfer target
If Rick Barnes can pull this off, it would be a massive recruiting win for Tennessee. This recruitment looked all but over, with Harris seemingly a lock for Michigan, but things now appear to have shifted in the Vols’ favor. Tennessee’s long-standing relationship with Harris, along with strong NIL resources, has helped position them well in this race.
Explained why I think the vibes are currently trending in Tennessee’s favor with UNC still jockeying. Michigan is still lurking. This one has taken a few turns so could always change.https://t.co/Z4fQYSI9II https://t.co/mftl4OX1Hc
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) April 15, 2026
Tennessee gets a prediction to land Juke Harris
It’s no secret that Harris is asking for a significant amount of money this cycle, but he also has earned it. Last season at Wake Forest, he posted eye-opening numbers as a sophomore, averaging 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He also contributes defensively, averaging 1.3 steals per night.
Harris is a slashing wing who has the size and physicality to fit well in the Barnes system. He also doesn’t turn the ball over often for a player who handles it a lot, which is a major plus. It felt like Tennessee's ball handlers were losing the ball way too much and giving away games because of empty offensive possessions.
Overall, it seems as if Rick Barnes has a whole new motive this portal cycle. He's been getting guys who have a better overall offensive impact, but can still play physical defense. The bread and butter of Tennessee will still be inside, but he's added some more shooting while still having an inside-out approach to the game.
The bottom line is that this recruitment is far from over. Dusty May will undoubtedly do everything he can to get Harris to Ann Arbor, and North Carolina is always a dangerous competitor. They have an NBA championship-winning head coach and significant financial resources, which is always a threat in the NIL era. However, Barnes is in the driver's seat, and he just needs to seal the deal now.
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