REIDSVILLE, N.C. — Kendre Harrison stood in the middle of the Reidsville football field. He sported a big chain around his neck and an even bigger smile on his face.

The big man on campus was back home.

After a 37-0 win over North Forsyth, Harrison did interviews, posed for pictures and greeted supporters.

In these brief moments after a blowout win, which moved the No. 11 Rams to 5-0 on the year, there was a vibe that made the old adage ring true: there’s no place like home.

“Coming out with Providence Day on Friday’s, it really didn’t feel like me,” Harrison said. “Coming out with my brothers, competing, having the opportunity to win, it felt great. It was all good vibes.”

Harrison has been a household name in the Reidsville community for the last few years, but the junior left in the offseason.

Harrison enrolled at NCISAA member Providence Day School in Charlotte before the season and played in three games with the Chargers. As a tight end on offense he caught 13 passes for 153 yards. On defense he had eight tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. However, on Monday he was back in Reidsville, even joking that he showed up to school extra early.

Soon after he was back at practice and on Friday he suited up, back in jersey No. 0, quickly becoming a focal point in the Rams’ offense. He caught a pass on the second play of the game and was targeted by quarterback Dionte Neal once more on the opening scoring drive. On the second drive of the game for Reidsville, Harrison caught a pass from Neal and took it to the house for his first touchdown in a Rams’ uniform this season.

He finished the game with four catches and two touchdowns.

“Business as usual,” Reidsville coach Erik Teague said.

It’s not everyday that a five-star recruit walks out, then back, into your program. Teague said there was no awkwardness when Harrison returned.

“He grew up in Reidsville, he’s been in Reidsville his whole life,” Teague said. “With the exception of the past month and a half. I’m glad that he’s back and doing good.”

Harrison started the game with high energy, blocking with an unmatched intensity before hauling in his first touchdown pass. Harrison played with his hand in the dirt as a traditional tight end, but also lined up like a wide receiver. It was a familiar sight for the Rams’ faithful.

Reidsville jumped out to a 4-0 record without Harrison and were a heavy favorite to return to the 2A title game, in the hurt for back-to-back titles. With Harrison back, the goal of repeating looks clearer.

After a month or so in Charlotte, Harrison was clear about one thing – getting back to feeling like himself.

“It didn’t really feel like me,” Harrison said. “I love Providence Day. I love coach (Chad) Grier, I love everybody there. I (felt) like I didn’t really fit in. That’s just how life is, man.”

In two years at Reidsville, Harrison has played in four state title games (two in football, two in basketball). Last year he led the Rams to state titles in both sports. With Harrison in the lineup, the Rams are 30-3 in football and 55-1 in basketball.

Harrison has become one of the state’s most sought after prospects. The 6-foot-7, 245 pounder is a five-star football prospect and a four-star prospect in basketball. Harrison is ranked as the nation’s No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2026 by ESPN. He’s ranked No. 12 by On3, No. 13 by Rivals, and No. 15 by 247Sports.

In 15 games played last season, Harrison caught 62 passes for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 76 total tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also posted eight pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

In basketball, Rivals ranks Harrison the No. 28 basketball prospect in the country for the class of 2026. 247Sports has him slotted at No. 30, ESPN has him No. 39, and On3 is the lowest at No. 136 in the country. He averaged 19.4 points per game, 15.1 rebounds per game, and 3.7 blocks per game.

He was named the MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year last season.

In July, Harrison released his top six schools for football recruiting: Florida State, Miami, UNC, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee. Harrison has offers from UNC in football and basketball. He was in Chapel Hill last week when the Tar Heels hosted North Carolina Central.

Source: highschoolot.com