Alabama Signs Versatile 2022 Athlete Amari Niblack

Player who wants to be the next Julio Jones will pay college football at the same college.

Alabama has made great use out of tight ends in its 2021 offense, and the Crimson Tide may have found its next key piece in the position group with 2022 prospect Amari Niblack. 

Some outlets have him listed as an athlete as he has played more of a hybrid receiver/tight end role at Lakewood in Clearwater, Florida, but SI All-American has Niblack as the No. 9 overall tight end in the 2022 class. 

Niblack became an official member of the Crimson Tide when he signed his national letter of intent with Alabama on the Early Signing Day Wednesday.

He received an offer from Nick Saban and Alabama back in June and committed to the Crimson Tide by the end of the week. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound tight end chose Alabama over programs like Indiana, Maryland, Georgia, Florida and Florida State. 

SI All-American scouting director John Garcia Jr. described what Alabama is getting in Niblack. 

"While working attacked to the line of scrimmage, he is a willing blocker with great urgency at the point of attack, with length and leg drive to boot, including true comfort getting to the second or third level," Garcia said. "While lined up split out, as he often is, he is a true dual threat with the ability to stretch the field like a big wide receiver due to his stride, range and catch radius.

"As his frame fills out even more, Niblack has a chance to develop into a true mismatch nightmare in the SEC as the technique and receiving polish improves."

He is expected to enroll early with the Crimson Tide and join the team in January. 

AMARI NIBLACK

ATH, 6-4, 225, Clearwater, Fla./Lakewood

One of the top athletes in his class who can slot in at wideout or tight end … a four-star recruit by all major outlets … the No. 7 athlete and No. 22 player from Florida by both 247Sports and on the 247Composite … No. 140 on PrepStar’s Top 150 Dream Team … 247’s No. 173 overall recruit and the No. 188 player on the Composite … evaluated as a wide receiver by Rivals.com who has him listed as the No. 19 receiver overall and No. 21 player from Florida … also earned the No. 92 spot on the Rivals250 list … ESPN.com’s No. 291 recruit on the ESPN300 and the No. 9 tight end/H-back in the country … ranked 38^th in the state of Florida and the No. 119 player in the Southeast Region by ESPN … coached by Cory Moore at Lakewood High School … also a standout basketball player for the Spartans …chose Alabama over Florida State, Georgia Tech and Indiana.

This story will be updated.