Kendre Harrison focused on ‘football first’ over basketball with Oregon Ducks
Kendre Harrison arrived in Eugene with intentions to make some noise on the gridiron and the hardwood. Now, his focus is shifting toward football.
As impressive as the feat may be, it's not unusual to see an athlete compete in two sports in Eugene. Bryce Boettcher became a professional draft pick in baseball and football. Dakorien Moore is putting on his spikes for the track and field team this spring.
Going back even further, Devon Allen starred at wide receiver on the Oregon Ducks' first College Football Playoff team and later became an Olympian on the track. It's possible to do both, but the Ducks are now facing some difficult decisions and conversations with freshman tight end Kendre Harrison . The 6-foot-7 target from Reidsville, North Carolina, signed with the Ducks as a four-star recruit in both football and basketball.
While he has been competing for a backup role on Oregon's offense in his first season, the potential for playing time as a freshman on the hardwood has opened up, with Dana Altman overseeing a bevy of changes to his roster. For now, Dan Lanning wants Harrison to keep his focus where his feet are, on the football field. "It's always been the plan when he got here to focus really on football first, and then we'll see what opportunities present themselves as that comes along," Lanning said after Saturday's spring game.
"We saw a guy today get drafted who played baseball here, and now he's going to go play football for the Colts in Bryce. We have Dakorien right now doing two sports as well ... It's certainly something we can do.