These 2024 Texas football transfers are bound to become stars
During the late National Signing Day on Feb. 6, Texas football and head coach Steve Sarkisian didn't have any new additions to the 2024 recruiting class. All 30 signees for Texas in the 2024 class, between high school recruits and transfer portal commits, signed on the dotted line during the Early Signing Period.
There were a handful of portal additions for the Longhorns that signed before the Jan. 30 enrollment deadline for the spring semester.
Texas football adds another highly touted group of transfers in 2024
Among the eight transfers that Sarkisian and the Longhorns signed in this portal cycle, seven have enrolled early to participate in spring ball.
Texas added eight high quality players from the transfer portal who can immediately impact this team at various positions of need on each side of the ball. The position groups that Texas hit on the most with this portal class are wide receiver, tight end, and the front seven.
The Longhorns are also still in the market for help at defensive tackle via the transfer portal entering the spring. Texas added one defensive tackle in the winter transfer window, former Arizona Wildcats junior defensive lineman Tia Savea.
Some of these seven early enrollees among the portal additions are sure to become big-time studs on the 40. Here are three transfers for the Longhorns who can become stars in 2024.
Amari Niblack, TE
It wasn't only the wide receiver room that got a big upgrade among the skill positions for the Texas offense early this offseason. Sarkisian and the Longhorns also added a big-time receiving tight end threat via the transfer portal in this cycle, former Alabama sophomore Amari Niblack.
Steve Sarkisian on Amari Niblack: “Tremendous pass receiving tight end. With the loss of JT Sanders, how do we fill that void? Niblack had a tremendous touchdown against us where I think opened a lot of our eyes to what he was capable of.”
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) February 7, 2024
The 6-foot-4 and 235-pound Niblack gives the Longhorns a receiving tight end with NFL-level physical tools. Sarkisian said that Niblack is the guy Texas looks at as a replacement for what All-Big 12 junior tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders provided this offense in the receiving game in the last two seasons.
Niblack is a significant downfield threat with a large catch radius and above-average speed at a tight end to consistently beat opposing linebackers and safeties in coverage. He'll be a natural target for redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers in the passing game with his big frame and ability to generate separation before the catch.
Sarkisian's ability to scheme receiving tight ends open in the passing game should greatly bolster Niblack's production in 2024.