Four-star tight end Malik Howard committed to Tennessee football on Saturday morning choosing the Vols over Miami, Notre Dame, Texas and Vanderbilt.
A local standout, Howard stars at Oak Ridge High School where he caught 53 passes for 778 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior season. The Wildcats posted a 9-1 record in the regular season last year before Science Hill upset Oak Ridge in the opening round of the TSSAA high school playoffs.
Howard ranks as a four-star recruit and the No. 215 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the No. 11 tight end and No. 8 player in the state of Tennessee in the 2027 recruiting cycle.
247sports own rankings are even higher on Howard, tabbing him as the No. 183 player and No. 8 tight end in the 2027 recruiting cycle.
More From RTI: Tennessee Fans Paint The Rock With Maple Leaf To Celebrate David Gabriel Georges’ Official Visit in Knoxville
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound tight end committed to Tennessee while on his official visit. He was scheduled to take an official visit to Notre Dame next week.
Landing a tight end was a priority for Tennessee in the 2027 recruiting cycle after the Vols only landed lowly rated Luca Wolf in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Howard gives the Vols just that with Tennessee landing its top tight end prospect in the cycle.
Howard is the 10th commit in Tennessee football’s 2027 recruiting cycle and just the third skill position player along with quarterback Derek Baker and four-star receiver Kesean Bowman. He also the sixth instate prospect to commit to Tennessee in the cycle along with Bowman, four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, three-star safety Jaden Butler, three-star linebacker JP Peace and three-star cornerback Brandon Leavell.
The Vols’ 10-commit 2027 recruiting class now ranks No. 37 nationally and No. 10 in the SEC according to the 247sports team rankings.
