AUSTIN, Texas — The football program at the University of Texas at Austin may soon need to change their nickname from the Longhorns to the Burnt Orange Tide.
That nickname sounds awful, but given the number of Alabama transfers the program has welcomed in lately, the name change at least feels appropriate.
On Thursday, the Longhorns secured a commitment from former Alabama tight end Amari Niblack. Niblack's addition to the program marks the third former Alabama starter, joining wide receiver Isaiah Bond and linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, who has has joined Steve Sarkisian's team since Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement last week.
Entering his junior season, Niblack joins a Longhorns program at critical time, as the team is losing two-year starting tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders to April's NFL Draft.
In two seasons at Alabama, Niblack only hauled in 21 catches but made a massive impact in his sophomore season, catching four touchdowns and helping Alabama reach the 2023 College Football Playoff.