Texas needed to add a playmaking tight end with Ja’Tavion Sanders declaring for the NFL Draft and found what they were looking for in the 6’4, 233-pound pass catcher. The top tight end in the transfer portal and a former top-100 recruit out of Lakewood (Fla.) High School, Niblack is another versatile threat for Steve Sarkisian’s offense, which thrived on the mismatch created by the tight end in 2023.

Niblack likely steps in as the top tight end in the room, with Gunnar Helm set to play another key, albeit different, role at the tight end spot.

The Longhorns continue to take advantage of Nick Saban’s surprise retirement, with Niblack joining former teammates Isaiah Bond and Kendrick Blackshire on the move from Tuscaloosa to Austin. Overall this offseason, Texas has looked for quality, not quantity, in the transfer portal, with four of their seven transfer additions ranking in the top 25 of 247 Transfer Ratings — with Niblack and Bond representing the top players at their respective positions.

When I was watching that play live, I was asking who the hell that guy was, how did he get that open, and how was he able to slice through Texas’ secondary seemingly with ease in that situation. I was not at all familiar with Niblack’s game at the time, but that catch and run for a touchdown definitely put me on notice a bit. I didn’t expect my observations from that game would become relevant in this context, but here we are. Played in 14 games in 2023 for Alabama and logged four starts. Logged 20 catches for 327 yards (16.35 YPC) and four touchdowns. Can make an easy case for him being underutilized with those limited numbers.

Niblack possesses good size at his listed 6’4, 233 pounds and he carries the weight very well with an athletic, muscular frame. When I saw him running around out there I was deceived by his movements and size and thought he was actually a wide receiver for Alabama, which should give you an idea of how profiles athletically.

Fits the mold of your prototypical move/flex tight end. Easy and fluid mover that accelerates well for his size and can deceive you a bit at first glance.

Possesses a basketball background that shows up on tape with how he attacks the ball in the air. Shows the ability to snatch the ball out of the air away from his body with strong hands. Has the ability to be a seam stretcher for an offense and is the caliber athlete you have to account for on intermediate and deep routes.