Tarik Black Bio
Tarik Black (born February 10, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 213 pounds, he plays the wide receiver position and wears jersey number 12. Black played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas Longhorns before launching a professional career that has included stints with multiple NFL organizations and a championship run in the United Football League.
Over the course of his career, Black has been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Louisville Kings, in addition to the Detroit Lions. He is best known for his resilience through injuries during his college years and for winning the 2026 United Bowl with the Louisville Kings in the UFL.
Early Life and Background
Tarik Black was born on February 10, 1998, in Hamden, Connecticut, in the United States. He grew up in Connecticut and developed into a highly regarded high school prospect at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire. While at Cheshire Academy, he established himself as a four-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 81 high school player in the country by ESPN. He was also rated as the top recruit in the state of Connecticut and received an invitation to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star games in the country.
Black’s recruitment drew national attention, and he collected scholarship offers from powerhouse programs including Auburn and Alabama. In December 2016, in a Facebook live broadcast, he announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Michigan. His decision to enroll early at Michigan in January 2017 allowed him to participate in spring practice, where he impressed observers with his size and skill set for a young wide receiver prospect.
Path to American Football
Black’s path to American football was shaped by his standout play at Cheshire Academy, where his combination of height, hands, and route-running ability made him a priority recruit for top college programs. His ranking as a four-star prospect and selection to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl confirmed his status as one of the most talented wide receiver prospects in his recruiting class. The scholarship offers from Auburn and Alabama underscored the level of interest he generated among elite college football programs.
His commitment to Michigan in December 2016 set the stage for his collegiate career in the Big Ten Conference. After beginning his career at Michigan, Black later transferred to the University of Texas at Austin in 2020 as a graduate transfer, giving him the opportunity to compete in another major conference. His journey from a top-ranked Connecticut high school recruit to a multi-program college player demonstrated his persistence and love for the game.
Tarik Black Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Tarik Black enrolled early at the University of Michigan in January 2017 and quickly earned a role in the Wolverines’ offense. On September 2, 2017, he started at wide receiver as a true freshman in Michigan’s season opener against Florida, scoring a touchdown on his first collegiate reception and finishing with two receptions for 83 yards. His promising debut was cut short during the fourth quarter of Michigan’s third game against Air Force, when he suffered a broken left foot that ended his freshman season. He finished the year with 11 catches for 149 yards and one touchdown in only three games played.
Injuries continued to challenge Black during his sophomore season in 2018, when he fractured his right foot just before the start of the year. He saw his first playing time on November 3 against Penn State and recorded his first catch of the season two weeks later against Indiana, ending the year with four catches for 35 yards. Black returned to full health in 2019 and played in 11 games, recording 25 receptions for 323 yards and one touchdown while competing for snaps with Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Ronnie Bell. After the 2019 season, he entered the transfer portal and announced on April 28, 2020, that he would grad transfer to the University of Texas at Austin. In his lone season at Texas, Black played in eight games with one start, recording 10 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown.
NFL Career (2021–2024)
After going unselected in the 2021 NFL Draft, Black signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2021. He was waived by Indianapolis on August 31 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, but was released on November 23. Shortly after, on December 7, 2021, Black was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad and was called up for the final game of the season against the Buffalo Bills, where he made his first career NFL catch.
Black signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 10, 2022, but was waived on August 30 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day before being released on December 6. On January 3, 2023, he joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad and was later re-signed on April 19. He was waived on August 29, returned to the practice squad on September 26, and experienced several releases and re-signings before being released again on January 17, 2024. Black was then signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 31, 2024, but was waived/injured on August 13 and released six days later with an injury settlement. On October 23, 2024, he was signed to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025, before being waived on August 19. Through the 2024 NFL season, his career totals included 1 reception for 10 receiving yards.
Louisville Kings Era (2026)
On January 14, 2026, Black was drafted by the Louisville Kings in Day 2 of the 2026 UFL draft, marking his entry into the United Football League. He played in nine regular season games for the Kings, finishing third on the team in receptions and receiving yards while tying for first on the team in receiving touchdowns. He also played in both playoff games and helped the Kings win the 2026 UFL Championship at the United Bowl.
Detroit Lions Era (2026–Present)
Following his championship season in the UFL, Black signed with the Detroit Lions of the NFL on June 17, 2026, returning to the league where he began his professional career. He joined the Lions’ active roster as a wide receiver, bringing added experience from his UFL championship run. His current role with Detroit reflects his continued development as a professional and his perseverance through multiple team transitions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Black is a big-bodied wide receiver at 6 feet 3 inches and 213 pounds, giving him a significant frame to win contested catches and create mismatches against smaller defensive backs. His background as a four-star recruit and his early success as a true freshman at Michigan showcase his natural receiving instincts, route-running ability, and capacity to contribute as a vertical threat. His willingness to compete through injuries and across multiple teams and leagues has also become a defining trait of his professional journey.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Black’s career came in his very first collegiate game, when he started at wide receiver for Michigan against Florida and scored a touchdown on his first career reception. His selection to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and his ranking as the No. 81 overall high school player by ESPN marked him as a high-profile recruit. More recently, his role in helping the Louisville Kings win the 2026 United Bowl stands as a signature team achievement, and his subsequent signing with the Detroit Lions reinforced his continued presence in professional football.
Tarik Black Career Wins
Tarik Black’s professional resume includes a UFL championship with the Louisville Kings, earned at the 2026 United Bowl. While his NFL career statistics through the 2024 season were limited to 1 reception for 10 receiving yards, his ability to remain active across multiple teams and leagues speaks to his persistence and value as a depth receiver and practice squad contributor.
UFL Highlights
In the 2026 UFL season with the Louisville Kings, Black played in nine regular season games and ranked third on the team in receptions and receiving yards while tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. He appeared in both of the Kings’ playoff games and contributed to their United Bowl victory, earning the title of UFL champion in 2026.
Other Wins and Performances
Black’s college career included notable performances for the Michigan Wolverines, including a 83-yard, two-reception debut against Florida in 2017, and a 25-reception, 323-yard, one-touchdown season in 2019. At the University of Texas in 2020, he recorded 10 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown in eight games. While he did not record any verified NFL regular-season wins, his career trajectory reflects steady progression across multiple organizations and leagues.
Tarik Black Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tarik Black was raised in Hamden, Connecticut, where he developed into one of the most highly ranked high school football recruits in the state. Publicly available information about his parents and immediate family has not been confirmed.
Personal Life
Black attended Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, before continuing his football career at the University of Michigan and later the University of Texas at Austin. Details regarding his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL calendar, Black had signed a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins on January 7, 2025, securing his place with the organization heading into the new league year. He participated in the Dolphins’ offseason program and was part of the team through training camp, working to earn a spot on the regular-season roster. On August 19, 2025, he was waived by the Dolphins, ending his time in Miami for that cycle.
Following his release from the Dolphins, Black moved on to a new opportunity when he was drafted by the Louisville Kings in Day 2 of the 2026 UFL draft on January 14, 2026. His transition to the UFL gave him a chance to take on a larger offensive role, which he embraced by ranking third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He also tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns while playing in both playoff games.
Black capped his 2025–2026 stretch by helping the Louisville Kings win the 2026 United Bowl and later signing with the Detroit Lions on June 17, 2026. His journey from the Dolphins’ reserve/future list to a UFL championship and back to an NFL roster underscored his resilience and ability to contribute at the professional level. The outlook for his continued career with the Lions remains promising given his championship experience and proven ability to produce in key offensive situations.