Notre Dame continues to be a destination spot for the nation’s top tight ends.
According to On3’s Blue and Gold, four-star tight end Malik Howard has scheduled an official visit to Notre Dame and is also expected to be in South Bend on March 28th. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect is widely regarded as one of the top tight ends and overall players in Tennessee for his cycle.
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According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Howard is ranked as the No. 11 tight end nationally and a top-10 overall prospect in the Volunteer State placing him at No. 193 overall for the 2027 class. Across his sophomore and junior seasons at Oak Ridge, he has totaled 85 receptions for 1,167 yards and 17 touchdowns while helping the Wildcats to a 9-1 regular-season record and a state playoff berth.
On film, there is a lot to like and easy to see why power 4 teams are in pursuit of him. Andrew Ivins, Director of scouting at 24/7, describes him as a physical pass catcher with “sticky hands” and advanced body control, comfortable making contested grabs in traffic and adjusting to the ball in midair. He is not considered a pure burner, but his initial burst and ability to sink his hips allow him to attack cushions and separate at the top of routes while still holding up as an in-line blocker.
Malik Howard had released a top six featuring Alabama, Miami, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, and in-state Volunteers has been viewed as a program “setting the pace” in his recruitment. Multiple reports indicate (subscription required) that they believe the home state program is in a strong position to keep the East Tennessee standout home, but that will not deter Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman from pursuing.
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Notre Dame’s tight end tradition has quickly made an impression after the Irish extended an offer, with Howard noting the program is among the nation’s best at sending tight ends to the NFL. He has been building a relationship with offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Denbrock and is eager to see a spring practice to gauge the culture under head coach Marcus Freeman and how the staff uses the position on the field. With an official visit locked in and another trip looming, Notre Dame football recruiting has firmly inserted itself into one of the premier tight end battles of the 2027 cycle.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Top 2027 official tight end target schedules visit to South Bend
