Texas Lands Commitment From Alabama Tight End Transfer Amari Niblack

The Texas Longhorns were able to replace star tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders a talented transfer portal player from Alabama.

The Texas Longhorns have been searching for the perfect replacement for tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who is one of the five playmakers on offense that is departing for the NFL.

Joined by receivers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, and running back Jonathon Brooks, Sanders will depart after having a huge impact on offense and will also be tough to replace. However, the Longhorns looked to the transfer portal to do just that, as they did in rebuilding their wide receiver corps after landing Matthew Golden (Houston), Isaiah Bond (Alabama), and Silas Bolden (Oregon State).

On Thursday they were able to find their tight end replacement for Sanders, as they again turned to what has been a trusty pipeline from Tuscaloosa to Austin. Alabama tight end Amari Niblack took to social media to announce that he will be transferring to Texas. He marks the third player from Alabama that the Longhorns have brought in through the portal this offseason. 

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Amari Niblack (84) tries to break a tackle by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Junior Colson (25) in the 2nd quarter of the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Right is Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

He was the third-leading receiver for the Crimson Tide as they went on to win the SEC, and make a College Football Playoff appearance, but ended up losing to eventual champions Michigan. The former four-star recruit out of Florida snagged 20 passes for 327 yards with four touchdowns.

Oregon State Standout WR Silas Bolden Commits to Texas

According to 247Sports, he ranked as the No. 28 overall transfer portal player, and No. 1 tight end in the portal. At 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds, Niblack offers quarterback Quinn Ewers a massive target to throw to. As a recruit, Niblack was ranked as the No. 99 player in the country and chose Alabama over programs like Florida, Florida State, Florida State, and Georgia.

After losing so much talent to the draft, it seems that Texas has had no issue reloading.