Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports

Could Amari Niblack be the breakout star in Alabama’s offense?

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated 5/29/23

Alabama’s offense has several playmakers, but are Crimson Tide fans overlooking a potential breakout star?

Amari Niblack, a former four-star from South Florida, came into the 2022 class as a talented tight end.

The 6-foot-4, 233-pounder has a tight end’s body, but he plays like a wide receiver. He was one of the top athletes in the nation from Lakewood High School, showcasing abilities at tight end and wide receiver. Niblack played in ten games last season for Alabama, including one start. He scored his first career touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe, which was a 15-yard catch.

Bill O’Brien did not use Niblack; however, Tommy Rees is known for involving tight ends in 12 or 22-personnel groupings.

In an episode of “The Final Whistle” via The Bama Standard, the panel explained why Niblack will be a breakout star.

“Do we remember what Nick Saban said about Niblack when he came and camped?” Ty Hayes asked the panel. “He compared him to an all-time great at wide receiver if he plays offense. If he plays defense, he compared him to an all-time great at edge. Julio Jones and Will Anderson are the players Saban compared Niblack to. Amari Niblack is green, and we know what Tommy Rees does with tight ends. I think we have a guy that nobody in college football is talking about. He could burst onto the scene this year with the athletic ability he possesses to be a mismatch. The tight end position with him and Danny Lewis could get very funky.”

Everyone else on the panel agreed with Hayes.

They also added what C.J. Dippre can do also as a transfer from Maryland. No one is talking about the tight ends, but Alabama has a room filled with them. Each guy, including Lewis and Miles Kitselman, showed out in the spring game.

Hopefully, Niblack and the others are featured more this season.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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