Notre Dame’s search for a tight end in the Class of 2027 is heating up, and while a few early targets have already committed elsewhere - including Korz Loken staying close to home at Wisconsin and JT Geraci heading to Texas - there’s still plenty of talent left on the board. The Irish are still very much in the mix for several high-upside prospects, each bringing a different flavor to the position. Let’s take a deeper look at four tight ends still in play for Notre Dame, and what they could bring to South Bend.
Malik Howard - Oak Ridge (TN)
The most recent name to pop onto Notre Dame’s radar is Malik Howard, who picked up an offer on December 5. Howard had a breakout junior season at Oak Ridge High School, hauling in 53 passes for 778 yards and 11 touchdowns - production that jumps off the stat sheet, especially for a tight end.
Howard is a modern-day F-tight end - think moveable chess piece rather than traditional in-line bruiser. At just under 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he’s got a near 6-foot-10 wingspan that gives quarterbacks a massive catch radius to work with. That wingspan, paired with strong hands and elite body control, allows him to make the kind of acrobatic catches in traffic that turn heads on film.
He’s not a burner, but he doesn’t need to be. Howard has enough burst to attack soft spots in zone coverage and can sink his hips to create separation at the top of routes.
He’s competitive after the catch, quick to turn upfield and pick up extra yards. While he’ll need to add some mass to handle more in-line blocking duties at the next level, he’s already shown a willingness to block and doesn’t shy away from physicality.
Howard projects as a potential impact player at the Power Four level - the kind of tight end you can move around the formation to create mismatches. He’s the type of versatile weapon that’s become increasingly valuable in today’s college offenses.
Zac Fares - Arbor View (NV)
Zac Fares brings a different kind of profile to the table. The Arbor View standout had a strong junior campaign of his own, with over 30 receptions for 550 yards and 12 touchdowns. That kind of production, combined with his ability as a run blocker, makes him one of the more complete tight ends in the 2027 class.
Notre Dame extended an offer to Fares last March during its annual Pot of Gold day, and it’s easy to see why. He’s long, fluid, and one of the more natural pass catchers in the class.
Fares runs polished routes and has a knack for creating separation with subtle hesitation moves and sharp breaks. He tracks the ball well downfield and can line up in a variety of spots - in-line, in the slot, out wide, or even as an H-back.
While he’s not asked to block a ton in his current system, he’s shown flashes of physicality and a willingness to drive defenders off the ball. With some added weight and strength, he could become a true dual-threat tight end. Fares projects as a reliable, go-to option in clutch situations - the kind of tight end who can move the chains on third down and be a red-zone weapon.
Holden Niemi - Dexter (MI)
Notre Dame hasn’t been as active in Michigan for the 2027 cycle after signing three players from the state in the previous class, but Holden Niemi is one exception. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound tight end from Dexter High School already holds a Notre Dame offer and is quietly building a strong case for more national attention.
Niemi has the prototypical frame for a tight end and plays with a physical edge. He’s a proven pass catcher and an effective run blocker with a bit of a mean streak - something coaches love to see in a tight end. While his recruiting ranking may not jump off the page just yet, his tape shows a player with the tools to develop into a reliable, physical presence at the next level.
He’s not as flashy as some of the other names on this list, but Niemi brings a blue-collar, do-it-all mentality to the position. He’s the kind of tight end who can anchor the edge in the run game and still be a dependable target in the passing attack. Don’t be surprised if his stock continues to rise as more programs take a closer look.
Notre Dame has a rich tradition of producing standout tight ends, and the 2027 class offers a variety of options to continue that legacy. Whether it’s the athletic upside of Malik Howard, the versatility of Zac Fares, or the physical edge of Holden Niemi, the Irish have quality targets still in play - and plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the position in South Bend.