Latest news with #YahyaBlack
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "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." Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews. This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Steelers ink former Iowa football DE Yahya Black
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Sign Massive DT to Rookie Deal
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive tackle Yahya Black during rookie minicamp on May 9, 2025. -- Ed Thompson /Steelers Now The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Yahyah Black have agreed to terms on a rookie contract. The Steelers selected Iowa defensive tackle Yahyah Black with the 164th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft—a selection originally owned by the Kansas City Chiefs before a trade-up. Black was a disruptive presence on the Hawkeyes' defensive line in 2024, finishing with 34 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and a blocked field goal. Advertisement Black was a force—literally and figuratively—on Iowa's front. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 320 pounds with a wingspan of more than 7 feet, he anchored well against the run and held strong against double teams. That skill set fits the Steelers' mold, allowing inside linebackers like Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson to stay clean and attack downhill. He plays with strong gap discipline and consistently maintains leverage, making him a reliable early-down defender. His length also allows him to disrupt passing lanes and alter throws. Yahya Black, Iowa Athletics Black joins a retooled Steelers defensive line that includes Keanu Benton, veteran Cam Heyward, and first-round pick Derrick Harmon from Oregon. While Black will likely begin in a rotational role, he projects as a good fit in Pittsburgh's 3-4 front. He primarily played as a 3-technique at Iowa but also has the flexibility to align as a 5-technique in sub-packages. Advertisement He'll reunite with fellow Iowa product Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick by Pittsburgh at running back. While terms of Black's deal have not yet been disclosed, estimates the contract at four years and $4.5 million, including a signing bonus of approximately $360,000. Black is the fourth of the Steelers' seven draft picks to sign his rookie deal, further reinforcing general manager Omar Khan's commitment to building a defense capable of shutting down the run. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sign Massive DT to Rookie Deal Related Headlines
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers ink former Iowa football DE Yahya Black
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. 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. "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." 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. "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." Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
With Mom Hospitalized, Draft 'Bittersweet' for Steelers Derrick Harmon
What's the Plan for Yahya Black? | Steelers Morning Rush Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's what the team's plan is for fifth-round draft pick Yahya Black. The Steelers have not prioritized the nose tackle position in recent years, never playing Breiden Fehoko in his two years with the team. So why will things be different for Black, who joined the Steelers out of Iowa in the 2025 NFL Draft? Alan breaks it down. #steelers #herewego #nfl CONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW: Steelers Now: SN on Twitter: SN on FB: SN on Insta: 6:33 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Players The Steelers Could Draft, That NO ONE Is Talking About...
What's the Plan for Yahya Black? | Steelers Morning Rush Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's what the team's plan is for fifth-round draft pick Yahya Black. The Steelers have not prioritized the nose tackle position in recent years, never playing Breiden Fehoko in his two years with the team. So why will things be different for Black, who joined the Steelers out of Iowa in the 2025 NFL Draft? Alan breaks it down. #steelers #herewego #nfl CONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW: Steelers Now: SN on Twitter: SN on FB: SN on Insta: 6:33 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
