Jamel Howse

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-4, 238 lbs. Taller than 22% and heavier than 77% of 2026 Tight End prospects in the SEC Scouts database (116 with a listed size).

Play Style

A move tight end or big slot who is at his best flexed off the line: seam routes, corner routes from the slot, and contested catches in the red zone. He runs well for his size after the catch, as his 19.5 yards per catch as a sophomore and occasional carries show, and his basketball background shows in how he goes up for the ball and boxes out defenders. He wanted to be a real target in the passing game, and that drove his move to App State.

Strengths

• Big-play production early: as a sophomore he had 36 catches for 701 yards (19.5 per catch) and 9 TDs in 9 games, plus 189 rushing yards and 2 TDs. That won him Newberry County Player of the Year honors (Donnie Shell and Observer awards).
• Catch radius: the 83-inch wingspan gives quarterbacks a big target on seams, back-shoulder throws and red-zone fades. Contested catches have been a strength on his film.
• Good short-area movement for his size: the 4.37 shuttle shows he can separate on option routes and turn upfield after the catch. He also played basketball for Newberry, which fits how he uses his body to shield defenders.
• Physical growth and steady production: he added about 30 pounds and still produced as a senior (roughly 46–52 catches for 613–686 yards and 5–6 TDs, depending on the source) for a 12-1 team, while also playing some defense (15 tackles, 1 INT). He was picked for the Shrine Bowl.

Areas to Improve

• Blocking as an inline tight end: he played mostly as a detached receiver in high school. Reaching and sealing Sun Belt defensive ends from a three-point stance will take technique work and continued strength gains.
• Lower-body power: the 22.8-inch vertical and 9-8 broad jump are ordinary. Hip and leg strength would help him accelerate after the catch and hold up at the point of attack as a blocker.
• Route detail against zone: he won in high school mostly on size and length. Against college linebackers and safeties he needs sharper breaks at the top of routes and better feel for soft spots in zone.

College Projection

He is already on the field as a true freshman in Loggains' offense (debut: 4 catches, 53 yards, third on the team). Expect a rotational role in 2026 as a flexed tight end on passing downs and in the red zone, with a chance to become the primary receiving tight end in 2027 as he adds strength. If his blocking comes along, he projects as an all-Sun Belt tight end by his third or fourth year.

NFL Outlook

He could become a day-3 prospect, or be signed after the draft, as a move tight end or H-back if he reaches 245–250 pounds, keeps his short-area quickness and becomes a passable blocker. The length is an NFL-level trait. The average jumps and a Group of Five competition level mean he will need standout college production and good pro-day testing to be drafted.

Best Fit

A pro-style or spread offense that gets its tight ends plenty of targets and uses them in 11 and 12 personnel, flexing them into the slot or out wide. That is the kind of offense Loggains runs at App State and was part of why Howse followed him. Schemes that keep tight ends inline as blockers would waste his receiving skills.