Former Michigan WR Tarik Black is transferring to Texas

Former Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black will be transferring to the Texas Longhorns, according to post on his Instagram page.

Black, who spent the past three seasons in Ann Arbor, announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal back in mid-December. He has one year of eligibility remaining and is immediately eligible as a graduate transfer.

Several broken foot injuries hampered Black’s career at Michigan and stunted his development as a wide receiver.

After bursting onto the collegiate scene in his first career game against Florida as a true freshman, he seemed destined to become Michigan’s next star receiver on the outside. Unfortunately, a fractured left foot injury cut his freshman season short just three weeks in.

Prior to making a return to action, Black fractured his other foot in the weeks leading up the 2018 regular season. He missed the first seven games of that season and did not look nearly like the same player when he returned.

While adapting to a new offensive system behind inconsistent quarterback Shea Patterson, who was especially inaccurate on deep passes, Black saw a decrease in playing time throughout last season. Although he ended up having his most productive season from a statistical and health standpoint, Black remained Michigan’s fourth option at receiver.

As a junior, he caught 25 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown. His lone reception touchdown came against Middle Tennessee State in the season opener. In a 56-27 blowout loss against arch-rival Ohio State to close out the regular season, Black played only 20 offensive snaps.

For a player like Tarik Black, who endured a lot during his time at Michigan, a change of scenery was much-needed.

With Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay off the NFL, there’s room for Black to potentially emerge as a starting wide receiver in the new-look Texas offense. He’ll be welcomed with open arms here in Austin under new offensive coordinator Michael Yurcich.

Black will likely compete with Longhorn receivers Joshua Moore, Marcus Washington, and Al’Vonte Woodard for playing time on the outside at the flanker position, though he could also spend time at the X, where Brennan Eagles is the expected starter.

Player breakdown

Black, a former four-star recruit from Connecticut, fits the prototypical mold as the type of outside receiver that Yurcich wants to work with in his spread system — an offense that’s predicated on taking shots down the field.

At 6’3 and 215 pounds, Black possesses the stature of a physical outside receiver. Big body receivers like Marcell Ateman (6’4, 215) and Binjimen Victor (6’4, 200) were an important part of Yurcich’s previous success at Oklahoma State and Ohio State. Each fulfilled their role as outside receivers in his system.

Given his size, Black figures to be a matchup problem for some undersized cornerbacks across the Big 12.

It’s no secret that Texas reached out to him because of his big-play ability. While he only averaged 12.7 yards per catch at Michigan, over 25 percent of his receptions went for 20 yards or more.

Here’s a few video clips highlighting what he can bring to the Longhorns offense as a deep threat.