Tennessee reportedly lands visit with No. 3 player in the transfer portal, battling UNC, Michigan

Tennessee reportedly lands visit with No. 3 player in the transfer portal, battling UNC, Michigan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball are going all-in on the transfer portal, targeting some of the biggest names available. Typically, Tennessee lands a well-known player and builds around that piece. This offseason, however, they are being even more aggressive due to increased NIL resources.

“Tennessee basketball is on track to be among the elite in NIL spending next season. On3’s Pete Nakos on Thursday reported the Vols are one of a handful of teams set to spend $10 million or more in NIL for its roster next season,” VolQuest’s Grant Ramey wrote.

One player Tennessee has set its sights on is Juke Harris, a transfer shooting guard from Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball. Harris is one of the top portal targets in the country, and head coach Rick Barnes and his staff have already secured a visit with him.

“Tennessee basketball doing in-home visit with Wake Forest transfer guard Juke Harris,” VolQuest wrote.

That is encouraging news for Tennessee, but the competition is strong. Harris has already visited Michigan Wolverines men's basketball, and North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball conducted an in-home visit with him on Sunday.

“If you’re traveling south on I-85 on Sunday, check the car beside you because it might be new North Carolina head coach Michael Malone and members of his coaching staff. They’ll be heading to Salisbury, N.C. for an in-home visit with Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris, a source close to the recruitment confirmed to Inside Carolina late Saturday night. Harris is ranked the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal by On3. He’s been linked to Tennessee, N.C. State, and Michigan, among others. Harris returned from an official visit to Ann Arbor on Saturday where he attended the team’s national championship parade,” Inside Carolina’s Sherell McMillan wrote.

Harris is one of the top names in this transfer cycle, and his recruitment is expected to go down to the wire. Tennessee has to feel good about its position, especially after securing an in-home visit.

The Volunteers are aiming to build a roster capable of making a Final Four run in 2027, and Harris would be a strong addition toward that goal. However, Barnes and his staff will have to fend off several major programs to land him.