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Former Longhorns tight end Amari Niblack transferring within the SEC and headed to major Texas rival

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brian Davis | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 11:11 AM ET

Former Texas tight end Amari Niblack is headed east to join Texas A&M.

Niblack opted to transfer from the Longhorns after getting little playing time this season behind Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis. Niblack had five catches for 33 yards.

Niblack got more playing time the previous two seasons with Alabama. While with the Crimson Tide, Niblack had 21 catches for 342 yards and five touchdowns.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian had high praise for Niblack in August.

“Amari the last two or three days has probably had his best days since he’s been with us,” Sarkisian said during pre-season practice. “He’s really healthy and you can see the impact he can have in the passing game as well as in the run game.”

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The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder could see an immediate shot with the Aggies, a team that’s now thin at the position.

Neither Tre Watson and Shane Calhoun were projected to be heavy-duty contributors for A&M when the season began. It was thought that Donovan Green would bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023 season. Theo Melin Öhrström got two starts in 2023 and was thought to take a huge step forward this season.

Instead, Watson was fourth on the team with 21 catches for 280 yards and one touchdown. Öhrström was second among the tight ends with 10 catches for 184 yards and two scores. Calhoun also had three catches for 57 yards.

Niblack was one of 10 Longhorns who entered the transfer portal. Several are staying in the SEC, too.

Defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell is headed to LSU while Jaray Bledsoe is going to Mississippi State. Fellow defensive lineman Aaron Bryant is transferring to Vanderbilt. Linebacker Derion Gullette is also transferring to the Bulldogs.

Defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea and cornerback Jay’Vion Cole are both transferring to Arizona. Edge rusher Justice Finkely is headed to Kansas.

None of the 10 players UT lost in the transfer portal ever started a game for the Longhorns.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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