The Tennessee Vols reportedly expect one of their top 2027 recruiting targets to “stay home”.

And the good news for the Volunteers is that home is East Tennessee.

Tennessee looks like the favorite for 2027 four-star tight end Malik Howard

According to Rivals, tight end is a position of emphasis for Tennessee in the 2027 recruiting cycle.

2027 four-star tight end Malik Howard is one of the Vols’ top tight end targets.

Howard, 6-4/231 pounds from Oak Ridge, TN, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 8 tight end in the nation and the No. 7 player in the state of Tennessee. He’s also rated as the No. 151 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class.

Rivals.com’s Steve Wiltfong says Tennessee is one of the program’s “setting the pace” for Howard.

Additionally, 247Sports’ Tom Loy says the Vols “expect” Howard to stay home.

“Tennessee sources believe they are in a very good spot with Oak Ridge (Tenn.) High Top247 tight end Malik Howard,” wrote Loy. “The 2026 Navy All-American is a top priority for the Volunteer staff. Howard, a 6-4, 231-pounder, is strongly considering a future in Knoxville….In the end, the Vols expect him to stay home.”

Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt are also in the mix for Howard.

Howard, who also plays basketball, is described by 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins as a player with “sticky hands and superb body control lead to acrobatic grabs in traffic as he can float with his timing and make mid-flight adjustments.”

Ivins also noted that Howard is “not a burner per se, but can attack cushion with his burst and sink the hips to break off defenders at the top of routes.”

Tennessee currently has five players committed to its 2027 recruiting class. They don’t have a tight end committed.

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