16-05-2025
Steelers ink former Iowa football DE Yahya Black
As rookie minicamps get underway, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end and 2025 fifth-round selection Yahya Black to a four-year contract.
In 2023, he started all 14 games for the Hawkeyes, recording 51 tackles (22 solo), five tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks. He also had five passes defensed, two quarterback pressures, and one forced fumble.
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In 2024, Black improved on his performance by recording 34 tackles (18 solo), seven tackles for loss, two passes defensed, two quarterback pressures, one sack, and one blocked field goal in all 13 games started.
"Really excited about Yahya," said defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. "Watched a lot of his tape. Big, physical young man. I like the things he brings to the table in the fifth round, so you've got to love that."
Black is the second defensive lineman the Steelers selected in the 2025 NFL draft, as Pittsburgh also took former Oregon Duck Derrick Harmon in the first round. According to Dunbar, the Steelers' goal is to be more 'dominant' up front.
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"We need to be more dominant up front," said Dunbar. "I think the way you get dominant up front is to get youth. I think he is going to be a great addition to the group."
Iowa Hawkeyes defesive end Yahya Black (94) motions for the crowd to get loud against the Iowa State Cyclones during the CyHawk game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
In his pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh, Black was astonished by the city's beauty and hard-nosed, determined mentality.
"First, can we talk about how pretty it is when you drive in to Pittsburgh, going through the tunnel and it opens up and it's a beautiful city. That's what I saw first," said Black. "Everybody in that city and around there has such a great mindset. It takes me back to my days at Iowa. Hard-nosed, tough and they are doing the right thing.
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"I loved it there. They are great people. The love came back to me. The black and gold stays around."
While Black will need to work his way in the defensive line rotation throughout minicamp and the ensuing preseason, he is eager to take on the challenge as he begins his professional journey.
"At the end of the day I am going to play wherever they need me," said Black. "They've got a great group, so wherever I fit in and learn."
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Steelers ink former Iowa football DE Yahya Black
