Tennessee 4-Star in constant contact with Alabama new tight end coach

Malik Howard - Photo By Justin Smith

Malik Howard plans to be in Tuscaloosa for an official visit in May as the Crimson Tide continues to make a push for him.

4-Star TE Malik Howard @Malik_Howard81 creates separation and pulls in the TD reception at the @thesevens7on7.

Alabama hosting him for an official in March. pic.twitter.com/IVlASTX66i

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) February 28, 2026

Howard is a product of Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and he garners a four-star rating from multiple recruiting sites. The Tennessee product has announced plans to officially visit Alabama and Notre Dame this summer.

The Crimson Tide’s new tight end coach Richard Owens has been in consistent and constant contact with Howard as of late.

“I met Coach Owens,” Howard said. “We talked on the phone like three or four times already. He’s just getting settled in and everything, just trying to make sure we start building that connection.”

Howard has noticed how Alabama uses its tight end under Kalen DeBoer. The four-star feels the Tide prepares their tight ends to have success when they leave college football and move on to the NFL.

“They use them a lot in a pro-style way,  a style that gets them developed for the NFL, and it shows when guys go to the league,” Howard said.

A summer commitment is what Howard is aiming for at the moment.

“I want to commit some time in early July,” Howard told Touchdown Alabama at The Sevens 7v7 Tournament. “Get that over with so I can just focus on all the senior season.”

Howard plans to weigh a variety of factors when he makes his commitment decision.

“The main thing for me is culture,” Howard said. “I want to be somewhere that I’m going to get pushed and challenged and developed to be the best player I can and be around guys that want to win championships.”

At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Howard is a physical tight end, who looks comfortable making contested catches in traffic. He also has experience lining up out wide and attached to the line of scrimmage. He is an effective blocker and is effective at releasing from blocks and becoming a target for his quarterback.

Watch Malik Howard’s Highlights Below: