Texas Football: 3 reasons to be excited for transfer WR Tarik Black

3. Replacing the production of Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay

Texas is lacking proven options in the receiving corps after the losses of senior ex-Longhorn wide receivers Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. Last season, Duvernay was one of the nation’s most productive wide receivers, registering more than 1,400 total yards from scrimmage on 100 catches, for double-digit touchdowns.

Johnson did have injury problems last season, but he still registered 38 receptions for 559 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the nagging lower-body injuries, Johnson did rake in around 275 receiving yards and two scores in his final three games played last season. He ended his senior season on a high note.

Duvernay is now off to the NFL, after getting drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars picked up Johnson in the fifth round of the draft. The most experienced wide receivers that the Longhorns have left on the Forty Acres are rising junior Brennan Eagles, sophomore Jake Smith, and Joshua Moore (granted it’s been a while).

Black could at least bring to the table a good amount of experience with another pretty good Power Five team. He didn’t have as much production at Michigan as either Johnson or Duvernay at Texas, but he has been around for just as long. Give one full season healthy for Black, and he should be able to fulfill those shoes to some degree.