Devy Profile: Tarik Black, WR Michigan
In just a couple of weeks, the Michigan Wolverines will open their season against the Florida Gators. Last year, they reeled off nine straight wins before dropping three of their last four games, including the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles. There’s no doubt about it, the Wolverines like to run the football, considering they finished last season ranked 32nd in the nation with 2,768 yards rushing while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Quarterback Wilton Speight, who is listed at 6’6’’ 243 pounds, is returning as the team’s starting quarterback. In his junior season, he managed to complete 204 of his 331 pass attempts for 2,538 yards and 18 touchdowns. With Michigan finishing the 2016 season ranked 92nd in the country with 370 pass attempts, it’s obvious the Wolverines depend heavily on their running game. Michigan’s offensive philosophy might redirect to something different in the near future due to their recent recruiting class that includes five-star wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, four-star wide receiver Tarik Black and four-star receiver Nico Collins.
Michigan’s returning veterans are responsible for just 52 catches combined over the course of their careers, making it safe to say the team is lacking experience at wide receiver. This year will be Michigan’s first-time rostering seven wide receivers who are 6’2’’ or taller. The added size and talent is going to be something new for the Maize and Blue and should provide an advantage in the passing game.
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As a Recruit
Black went to school at Cheshire Academy, located in Cheshire, Connecticut. With 159 catches for 2,896 yards and 40 touchdowns during his high school career, Black became one of the most prolific high school recruits in the country. He was named team MVP during his senior season. The USA Today granted him All-USA Connecticut Honors as a first team wide receiver.
According to 247Sports, Black was the top ranked player out of the entire state of Connecticut and was also ranked 15th amongst all wide receivers in the 2017 recruiting class. He received an invite to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl where he caught one ball for 11 yards. As one of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation, Black had to sift through 31 different offer letters, including schools like Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Georgia, Notre Dame, Stanford and many other collegiate programs.
Athleticism
In May of 2016 at Nike’s Opening Regionals in New Jersey, Black measured in at 6’3 1/2’’ while weighing 206 pounds. Unfortunately, he didn’t run the 40-yard dash, but he did post a 4.08 shuttle run and a 36.4’’ vertical jump. His size allows him to tower over cornerbacks. His frame can easily handle some additional weight, so don’t be surprised if he weighs 215 or more pounds when it comes time for him to enter the draft. From watching the tape, it’s easy to tell that he’s not a burner, but he does have enough speed to beat defensive backs.
Route Running
Like most receivers who are just entering the collegiate ranks, Black is still developing his route tree, but his tremendous catch radius is the great equalizer when it comes to creating separation from the defender. For his size, he is very agile and can easily get in and out of his breaks, so he’s more than capable of developing into a polished route runner. His short area quickness makes him very tough to cover. Due to his long strides, he’s deceptively fast while running fade routes, allowing him to sneak by defenders while the ball is in the air. Defensive backs will need to be on their toes while covering him, because he will blow right by the coverage if not accounted for.
Tarik Black, WR Michigan beating the defensive back for the touchdown reception during Michigan’s Spring Game. #Michigan pic.twitter.com/5OQonfWqfq
— Bruce Matson (@BMatz08) August 12, 2017
Here’s an example of his deceptive speed, showcasing his ability to eat up the cushion between him and the defensive back to snag the touchdown reception. Plays like this are very common for Black, especially if the defense is underestimating his speed.
Ball Skills
Due to his large catch radius, he’s a machine at converting contested catches. Balls that are thrown away from his body and over his head are never an issue. He is more than capable of finding the ball while it’s in the air and tracking it down to make the catch. It doesn’t matter how tight the coverage is, he’s almost always open, because of his size and athleticism he can easily get by the defender to make a play on the football.
Tarik Black, WR Michigan making a solid catch in the back of the end zone#Michigan pic.twitter.com/R74OJa5OAe
— Bruce Matson (@BMatz08) August 12, 2017
The video clip above shows Black beating the corner in the back of the end zone while making a beautiful catch in the process. After beating the defender, he immediately got in the most optimal position to make a play on the football. He’s aware of where the football is located at all times, allowing him to adjust to flight of the ball while running his route.
Tarik Black, WR Michigan snatching the ball out of the air during Michigan’s Spring Game. #Michigan pic.twitter.com/GqjFcytJZ3
— Bruce Matson (@BMatz08) August 12, 2017
Here’s another instance where he uses his size to take advantage of the shorter corner back. He has a knack at timing his jumps, allowing him to catch the ball at its highest point. Black’s wide frame makes it almost impossible for defensive backs to work around him while the ball is in the air.
Already Turning Heads
Black is hitting the ground running with an impressive debut during Michigan’s Spring Game, catching four passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. He has been lighting it up in practice by beating some of the veteran cornerbacks on a consistent basis. He’s only been practicing with the Wolverines for a few months and is already considered one of the top receivers on the team.
Tarik Black vs. Donovan Peoples-Jones
Like the console wars in the mid 90’s that propped the Super Nintendo against the Sega Genesis and caused many disputes between middle schoolers across the country, there will be plenty of debates about the two players once they both start producing on the field. They’re both very talented and it’s easy to project them making an impact for the team within the next couple of years.
Peoples-Jones was battling some minor injuries earlier this spring which could delay his development. When compared to Black, he’s faster and more athletic. Both players are very good route runners, but Black is currently defined as the more polished player. Black’s size will provide an added edge in the red zone. Both players are superb athletes and will get the chance to showcase their abilities during the course of their careers. Black is the hot commodity right now with him blowing up practices and the spring game which could transfer to him receiving a decent market share of the snaps during his freshman season. We might have to wait until the latter part of the season or even next year before we see Peoples-Jones take over as one of the team’s top pass catchers.
It’s quite apparent that Michigan manifested one of the best wide receiver classes in the nation this off-season which will instill fear in the hearts of many Ohio State fans come November.
Conclusion
When you explore all possible arrange of outcomes for his career. It’s easy to see him becoming a household name within a year or two. He has just about everything you would want in a young wide receiver prospect, from his four-star status to his size and athleticism. Black has all the tools and the potential to become one of the top wide receivers in the nation.
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