Junior Day Report: Tarik Black
Receiver is a position of need for Stanford in the 2017 recruiting cycle, and the Cardinal had one of the nation's best on campus over the weekend in Connecticut standout Tarik Black. The visit was Black's first to Stanford, and it also marked his first time in the state of California.
"My trip to Stanford was really great," Black said. "I enjoyed every part of the visit. I liked the facilities, the coaching staff, the academic support team, the professors and the players and some of students there. So I really enjoyed my time and I definitely think I can see myself fitting in."
Black partook in a number of visit activities alongside the other Junior Day recruits.
"My favorite part of the trip I would say was getting to watch the practice," Black said. "I thought that was great, to see how some of the coaches coached the guys and things like that. And I had a chance to see one of the best players in the country obviously in McCaffrey. So I thought that was very exciting, to see some of those guys in person and kind of compare myself to them in where I am now."
Black has kept in touch with Stanford offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren, Cardinal quarterbacks/receivers coach Tavita Pritchard and Stanford graduate assistant Matt Moran.
"I have a really great relationship with them," Black said. "When I was down there we just talked football and how I can be used in their offense and where I'd best fit for them and how I would help them win championships."
The Rivals250 standout was hosted on his trip by receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.
"I got to spend time with a couple of their freshmen," Black said. "They talked up their school - I can definitely see why they said what they said. The school overall is just great. I definitely got to see it firsthand, which was great. I'm definitely a believer."
Black didn't necessarily absorb a significant amount of new information about the Cardinal program on his visit, but it did affirm his existing knowledge and perceptions about life and football on The Farm.
"I kind of already knew much about the school, both obviously (that it's) a top-five school in the world academically and a top-five football program, so it's not like I went there and was surprised by what I saw," Black said. "I definitely expected everything I got out of it. It was all positive things."
Black doesn't have any connections to anyone currently on Stanford's roster, but he does know 2016 signees Scooter Harrington and Donald Stewart.
The Army All American does plan to take an official visit to Stanford later in his recruitment; as he continues to build a relationship with the program, the next step might be gaining increased familiarity with the Cardinal players.
"I would just like to stay around the players more," Black said. "Kind of blend with the players and see how it is in the locker room, because if I was to go there obviously the coaches wouldn't be around 24/7. So I would like to try to build a relationship with the players and see how the chemistry would be if I was to go there."
Prior to beginning his Stanford visit, Black spent time in Southern California at UCLA.
"I really liked UCLA as well," Black said. "I mean, the academics, it's obviously not Stanford, but it's definitely up there. They have great academics, a great coaching staff. I think I fit in there as well. And then it's L.A. - it was great to see that, because I've never been to a big city like that. That was great.
"How they compare - it would definitely be hard to put one above the other at this point, because I only visited one time. I definitely need to go back. I definitely plan on taking officials to both of those schools. But I could definitely see myself at both of those schools."
Similarly, both the Cardinal and Bruins have earned spots among Black's favorites.
"It would be hard to name my top group, but I can assure you that UCLA and Stanford will be in that top group," Black said. "Obviously there are other schools - I still have to take more visits."
Black plans to take a trip to Notre Dame on March 19th. He'll likely visit Tennessee in April. Nebraska, Arizona State and Oregon might also receive spring visits; another trip to Alabama is also a possibility.
The Cheshire Academy star does not currently have a concrete decision timeline - he might wait to make his college choice until after he takes official visits, or he might do it before.