Alabama football tight end Amari Niblack plans to enter the transfer portal, On3 Sports reported on Sunday. The move came after Alabama head coach Nick Saban retired and Kalen DeBoer was hired to replace him.

Niblack shared the news to his social media Sunday after it was reported. UA players have an extra 30-day window that began with Saban’s retirement to enter the transfer portal

Crimson Tide athletics director Greg Bryne asked players upon Saban’s retirement Wednesday to give him 72 hours to put a new coach in place. After DeBoer’s hire on Friday and introduction on Saturday, some portal defections were likely.

Niblack was a major contributor in Alabama’s tight end rotation last season. He developed a reputation as the team’s best receiver at the position, and showed of a talent for making big plays happen once he got the ball in his hands.

“He’s doing great,” Saban said of Niblack in October. ” He’s a really good receiver. He’s improved as a blocker. This year, his confidence and knowledge of the offense and what he’s doing, how to do it, why it’s important to do it that way is so much better, and I think it’s starting to show up in how productive he is on the field as a player.”

Niblack finished the 2023 season with 20 catches for 327 yards and four touchdowns. He was listed as a sophomore this past season.

Alabama also saw wide receiver Isaiah Bond leave via the portal once Saban’s retirement was announced. Bond committed to Texas on Sunday.