Alabama football’s leading receiver in Saturday’s win over Mississippi State in Starkville, wasn’t actually a wideout. With 61 yards on three catches, tight end Amari Niblack sat on top of the stat sheet in the 40-17 victory.

After the game, quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw for 164 yards and completed 10 of his 12 passes, raved about Niblack’s contribution to the offense.

“Amari’s a dawg,” Milroe said. “We have him at tight end, it makes it easy to throw the football. He has a big target, big frame.”

Alabama has several tight ends who have received significant playing time. Niblack is part of the group, along with Robbie Ouzts and CJ Dippre.

Among those three, Niblack is the one who most resembles a wide receiver, with a 6-foot-4, 233 pound frame. He’s the fastest of the group and can make things happen once he catches the ball.

Milroe explained how the sophomore helps the Alabama offense.

“He’s a tight end but he’s built like a receiver,” Milroe said. “So he can run in space and also he can catch acrobatic balls. And he’s competitive, so Amari’s a good guy to throw to. He’s hungry, he’s ready to compete.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised Niblack entering the season, noting his improvement as a blocker as well as a receiver. The Crimson Tide defense took notice as well.

After Alabama’s first game, cornerback Terrion Arnold was asked what he thought Niblack brought to the table. He explained the challenges the tight end could pose.

“Amari Niblack is a mismatch, as coach Saban says,” Arnold said. “His physicality, his body presence, his way to high-point the ball makes him a hybrid kind of player. So to see him have success and really go in the games and make it look easy. I would say the only person stopping him is him.”

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