While the NBA Draft is still looming large, the Tennessee Volunteers are doing everything in their power to earn a commitment from transfer portal star Juke Harris, who is reportedly deciding between the Vols and the Michigan Wolverines, if he doesn't head to the league.
Harris is undeniably taking his time with his decision, letting the Draft process unfold, and the NBA Draft Combine fly into focus.
However, while the four-star transfer mulls over his decision, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes isn't just sitting around idly waiting for Harris to make up his mind.
On Wednesday, April 30, Barnes reportedly flew out to California to pay Harris an in-person visit, adding a little pressure to the guard's pending decision.
Tennessee Volunteers seem all-in on Juke Harris
While Harris hasn't been the only transfer target for Barnes this offseason, he is undeniably the highest-rated player that the Vols have set their sights on.
In the meantime, Barnes has landed six commitments out of the portal, virtually evening his transfer losses by adding Kennesaw State's Braedan Lue, Loyola's Miles Rubin, Cal's Dai Dai Ames, VCU's Terrence Hill Jr., Notre Dame's Jalen Haralson, and Belmont's Tyler Lundblade.
Rick Barnes went from the Big Orange Caravan in Chattanooga on Tuesday to see Juke Harris in California today, then back to Nashville for the second Big Orange Caravan stop tonight. https://t.co/79BFEU0FZo
— @GrantRamey (@GrantRamey) April 30, 2026
Six players left Knoxville, opting for the transfer portal: Amari Evans is headed to Texas, Jaylen Carey is going to Missouri, Bishop Boswell committed to Maryland, J.P. Estrella chose Michigan, Cade Phillips is bound for Texas A&M, and Clarence Massamba has yet to commit.
As the Volunteers wait for Harris to make his decision, Tennessee's transfer portal class ranks fourth in the country, only trailing the Louisville Cardinals, Texas Longhorns, and Indiana Hoosiers.
Barnes' recruiting class of 2026 includes four blue-chip prospects: four-stars Ralph Scott, Manny Green, and Christopher Washington Jr., as well as three-star Marquis Clark, and ranks 15th in the national standings.
If Harris committed to the Vols, Barnes could see his transfer portal class break into the top-three, if not earn a second-place ranking, shoring up his depth chart for the 2026-27 season.
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