The best friend for a young starting quarterback is a reliable tight end.
Alabama football has five scholarship tight ends on its roster. Whoever wins the quarterback job between Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, and Tyler Buchner has a playmaker it can depend on. Amari Niblack, a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., is now ready to produce a breakout season for the Crimson Tide. He came in the 2022 signing class as one of the best hybrid tight end/wide receiver prospects in the nation. Niblack played in ten games last year — including one start — and had a 15-yard touchdown reception from Bryce Young against Louisiana-Monroe. He has become a complete player since then and wants to show it.
RELATED: Alabama tight end Amari Niblack ‘can be an offensive weapon’ per Nick Saban
Niblack, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds on the roster, has gotten bigger and stronger via Nick Saban.
The head football coach of the Crimson Tide spoke Tuesday about Niblack’s growth.
“He is doing great,” Saban said. “He understands the offense a lot better. He is a mismatch player in the passing game, and he’s done a really good job. He was very productive in the first scrimmage, and he is blocking better. I think he can be an impact player for us if he continues to grow and progress. We are excited about his future.”
RELATED: Alabama TE Amari Niblack: 2023 Crimson Tide Player Spotlight
Joe Cox, Alabama’s tight end coach, has excelled at developing Niblack. Tide fans wanted to see more of him in 2022, but he was not ready to have the coaching staff trust him. Niblack is now set to be a star player, and Saban looks to unleash him on defenses.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
