The latest intel on Malik Howard's recruitment out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee suggests a seventh team could be entering the fray for him. While Miami has been in contention for the four-star tight end, along with Alabama, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt, it seems as though the Oregon Ducks have started to make their move on him. Howard just took a visit to Eugene recently.
Howard offered the following quote to Chad Simmons of Rivals after his recent visit with the Ducks.
"If they keep recruiting me the way they are right now, I don't think they're too late."
So if Oregon is now part of the picture, here is who Miami will be competing with for his commitment.
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Miami Hurricanes
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Oregon Ducks
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Vanderbilt Commodores
Oregon may be on the other side of the country, but it is a program that can really develop tight ends.
Oregon has emerged as a serious contender for 4-star TE Malik Howard after a big visit, @ChadSimmons_ reports🦆
— Rivals (@Rivals) May 11, 2026
“If they keep recruiting me the way they are right now, I don’t think they’re too late.”
Read: https://t.co/FMm0XWeVmI pic.twitter.com/sVdreFmjzB
According to the 247Sports Composite, Howard is the No. 9 player from Tennessee, the No. 11 tight end in the country, and the No. 216 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class. He may have 36 offers, but the seven schools mentioned above seem to have the most interest in him. Howard has three official visits lined up: Alabama on May 29, Tennessee on June 5, and Notre Dame on June 12.
Vanderbilt may be a real player for him, as Howard would be in-state. However, Oregon feels ominous.
Miami should be worried about Oregon being in the mix for Malik Howard
While Howard is probably not going to be one of the next recruits to commit to Miami, it does serve Mario Cristobal's staff to keep close tabs on him. Although Miami is the only ACC school vying for his four-star commitment, the Canes do play Notre Dame often enough to where that will matter if they do end up getting him. Although Georgia has no real interest in him as a recruit, that is their problem.
What is important to know here is Howard keeping his recruitment very close to the vest does allow other outsiders like Oregon to shoot their best shot. The fact he is listed as warm for six different schools on 247Sports suggests that it is really anyone's guess as to where he may end up. Both in-state SEC teams in Tennessee and Vanderbilt will likely be around for the duration of his recruitment.
Overall, the fact Oregon is entering the mix, and other contenders like Alabama, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M are not bowing out does not look good for Miami's chances. If Howard is taking official visits to Alabama, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, will there even be a spot available for Miami? Oregon seems to have gotten an unofficial one out of him, for what it is worth... Miami might miss out on him.
At this time, Miami is more likely to bow out in his recruitment than push all their chips into the middle.
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