Longhorns add No. 1 Tight End from Transfer Portal

The loss of tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders to the NFL Draft left a production void at the position for the Steve Sarkisian and the Texas offense. The big, physical tight end played three seasons in Austin and amassed 1,295 receiving yards and two touchdowns and was an on-field threat with every snap.

The Longhorns return the services of senior Gunnar Helm, but needed reinforcement in the tight end room and they solidified that with Thursday evening’s commitment of Alabama transfer Amari Niblack.

Niblack, a 6-4, 233 lb. native of Saint Petersburg, Florida, was a consensus 4-star recruit in the Class of 2022. In his first season at Alabama he played in half of the Crimson Tide’s games and had one reception for seven yards and a touchdown. Last season his production increased substantially, as did his playing time. Niblack played in every game and reeled in 20 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

Nicblack was the top tight end available and the No. 26 player overall in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. He joins former Isaiah Bond (WR) and Kendrick Blackshire (LB) as transfer portal players that made their way to Austin after playing in Tuscaloosa for Nick Saban.