One has to find the best case scenario, even when plan A fails.
Chris Black came to Alabama in 2012 as a four-star wide receiver from Jacksonville, Fla. He began to show signs of promise in 2013, after sustaining a shoulder injury in fall camp as a freshman. Black would total 267 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 23 catches in the next two seasons (2013-14), before ankle injuries would deter his career in Tuscaloosa.
With his degree in hand, all Black wants to do is prove that he can be a star athlete. The 6-foot, 192-pound wide will stay in the Southeastern Conference but has decided to transfer to Missouri.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Proud to be a tiger #Mizzou #UNO pic.twitter.com/R6jHBBOF2B
— Chris Black (@chris_b1ack) February 1, 2016
Tigers’ head coach Barry Odom will inherit a receiver that has won three SEC championships (2012, 2014, 2015) and two national titles. Missouri loses running back Russell Hansbrough to the National Football League and dismissed quarterback Maty Mauk from the program, due to off-field issues. Former Crimson Tide wide receiver Kenny Bell has expressed his good wishes toward Black, as the graduate transfers now looks to make a impact at his new SEC home.
Congrats to my lil brother @cb1_Mizzou for signing with mizzou wish nun but the best thug ✊🏽✊🏽
— Kenny Bell (@TheKennyBell7) February 2, 2016
Alabama will not play Missouri in the regular season; however, a strong showing by the Tigers in the eastern division could lock Black against his former team in next year’s conference title game.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
