Last season, Amari Niblack was mostly valuable depth at tight end for Alabama football. He came in as a freshman prospect who was able to play both tight end and wideout if needed and ended the year with 10 games of action, one start and a 15-yard catch for a touchdown.

This year, Niblack might work his way into a bigger role with 2022 starter Cameron Latu off to the NFL. He’ll have competition from the likes of Maryland transfer CJ Dippre plus several other returning players, but Niblack earned positive reviews from Nick Saban on Tuesday.

“He’s doing great,” Saban said. “He’s gotten bigger, he’s gotten stronger, he understands the offense a lot better. He is a mismatch player to some degree in the passing game. And he’s done a really good job, and he was very productive in the first scrimmage.”

Niblack joined the Tide in the class of 2022 as a four-star prospect from Lakewood in Florida. Exiting high school, the word was he was a solid pass-catcher but lacked experience in run-blocking.

With Alabama looking to run the ball better in 2023, that would be a major concern for Niblack. However, offensive tackle JC Latham said this week that it’s not a problem.

“He’s definitely physical,’ Latham said of Niblack. “He’s great at communication. Knows where he’s supposed to be at. He’s just a mismatch. He knows how to hit big guys, whatever it might be. He’s not shying away from any type of contact.”

Niblack is listed 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds. That’s less heft than some tight ends, but not to the point of concern, especially if he has grown as Saban said.

The head coach also praised the sophomore’s improvement.

“He is blocking better,” Saban said. “And I think that he can be an impact player for us if he continues to grow and progress. We’re excited about his future.”

Alabama is scheduled to continue preseason camp through Aug. 26 before opening the season Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.

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