Tennessee Football added a strong offensive piece to its 2027 recruiting class on Saturday with a commitment from four-star tight end Malik Howard. The 6-foot-4 prospect announced his commitment in style, revealing his decision on campus while on his official visit over the weekend.
According to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings, Howard is tagged as the No. 215 overall player in the class, the No. 11 tight end in the cycle, and the No. 9 player from the Volunteer State.
During his junior season at Oak Ridge High School, Howard tallied 11 touchdowns and 778 receiving yards on 53 receptions. He nearly doubled his stats from his breakout sophomore campaign, which saw him rack up six touchdowns and 389 yards on 32 catches.
“Modern F-TE projection with the hands, fluidity and post-catch urgency to be a featured target in any passing attack,” 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins writes. “Sticky hands and superb body control lead to acrobatic grabs in traffic as he can float with his timing and make mid-flight adjustments… Projects as a potential impact player at the Power Four level that can be positioned around the formation in search of matchups.”
Here’s a look at some of the talent that Howard is bringing with him to Josh Heupel’s offense:
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Howard was one of two prospects to commit to Tennessee on Saturday, alongside JUCO defensive lineman Christian Mays. The two additions over the weekend give Tennessee 11 total commitments in the 2027 cycle, which ranks No. 38 overall in 247Sports’ team rankings.
Howard is the Vols’ first tight end commit in the 2027 class, and the ninth tight end that TE coach Alec Abeln has brought to Tennessee since being promoted in 2023: Luca Wolf (2026), transfer Drake Martinez (2026), transfer Trent Thomas (2026), DaSaahn Brame (2025), ex-Vol Jack Van Dorselaer (2025), Cole Harrison (2024), transfer Miles Kitselman (2024), and transfer Holden Staes (2024).
Howard is a big pickup for a Tennessee offense that continues to use its tight ends in the passing attack in a valuable way. With Kitselman running out of eligibility this past season, the Vols will seemingly turn to Ethan Davis as the top target during the 2026 season this fall. DaSaahn Brame could also wind up an important piece in the Vols’ room this season.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football recruiting news.
