Tennessee Battles UNC, Ohio State for Top Transfer Target

Rick Barnes looks to land star forward Jalen Haralson to replace departing talent.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:49pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the movements and jump shot of a basketball player, rendered in a cubist style with bold, clashing colors.A cubist interpretation of a top college basketball transfer target's dynamic game, as Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio State compete for his services.South Bend Today

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is working hard to land Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson, who is considering the Volunteers along with North Carolina and Ohio State. Haralson, a 6'7" forward, had a standout freshman season, averaging 16.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. His addition would be a major boost for the Vols, who are looking to replace several key players from last year's team.

Why it matters

Landing Haralson would be a huge recruiting win for Barnes and Tennessee, as they look to build on last season's Elite Eight appearance and make a push for the program's first Final Four. Haralson is a versatile, high-scoring wing who would fit perfectly into the Vols' system.

The details

Haralson entered the transfer portal after his freshman season at Notre Dame, where he emerged as a star. The 5-star recruit out of high school is now considering three of the top programs in the country - Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio State. Barnes and the Vols are working hard to convince Haralson to join them in Knoxville, as they look to replace key departures like JP Estrella, Nate Ament, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie.

  • Haralson recently wrapped up his freshman season at Notre Dame.
  • He entered the transfer portal in early April 2026.
  • Haralson is expected to make his decision on his new school soon.

The players

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team, who is looking to land a major transfer in Jalen Haralson to bolster his roster for next season.

Jalen Haralson

A 6'7" forward who had a standout freshman season at Notre Dame, averaging 16.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He is now in the transfer portal and considering offers from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio State.

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What’s next

Haralson is expected to announce his transfer decision in the coming days, with Tennessee, North Carolina, and Ohio State all vying for his commitment.

The takeaway

Securing the commitment of Jalen Haralson would be a major coup for Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers, as they look to build a roster capable of making a deep NCAA Tournament run next season.