Indiana just got the Big Ten competition it didn't need for 4-star TE Malik Howard

Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers are in the middle of a big recruiting battle for 4-star TE Malik Howard.

Hailing from Oak Ridge, TN, Howard is ranked as the No. 8 player in the state of Tennessee and the No. 8 tight end in the country according to 247Sports. So far, Indiana is battling with Alabama, Tennessee, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt for his services.

But now, another Big Ten team is entering the mix.

Oregon suddenly enters recruiting battle for 4-star TE Malik Howard

Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks have now joined the rush in Howard's recruitment. Oregon extended an offer to the talented playmaker last month, and it seems that Lanning and company are making up serious ground after a bit of a late start.

Following his visit to Eugene, Howard told Rivals' Chad Simmons, “If they keep recruiting me the way they are right now, I don’t think they’re too late.”

Indiana can't let Oregon overcome a late start in Malik Howard's recruitment

The Hoosiers have been involved in Howard's recruitment for quite some time. Indiana was Howard's fourth Division I offer two years ago, as Cignetti extended an offer back on June 15, 2024. The 6'3 230-pound tight end now has an offer list that includes over 30 schools, but Cignetti and company are still firmly in the mix.

Indiana's 2027 recruiting class currently features just four players and is ranked as the No. 55 class in the country by 247Sports. Thus, adding Howard to that group would be a big recruiting win for the Hoosiers, while watching him choose another Big Ten team would certainly sting.

It's not necessarily surprising to see Oregon make up so much ground in a short amount of time. The Ducks have a massive NIL investment fund and Lanning has shown he can find and develop elite talent at the tight end position.

Cignetti can point to Riley Nowakowski's success during recruitment of Malik Howard

But Cignetti has been effective at developing tight ends in Bloomington as well. This past season, Riley Nowakowski put forth the best season of his career by bringing in 32 catches for 387 yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 5th Round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and figures to make for a solid TE combination with Pat Freiermuth.

Nowakowski wasn't regarded as a potential draft pick entering the 2025 season, but Cignetti turned him into an under-the-radar Day 3 pick. Nowakowski quickly stood out and drew the attention of all 32 NFL teams throughout the pre-draft process. Now, he is heading to The Steel City.

At this point in time, Cignetti appears to have his work cut out for him in Howard's recruitment. With so many powerhouse programs in the mix, it doesn't seem that any one school is standing out. With Lanning and the Ducks pushing hard, Hoosier football fans are hoping Cignetti and his staff can make a lasting impact on Howard in the coming weeks.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow