Analyzing Steelers 2025 Fifth-Round Pick Yahya Black - The Space-Eating Playmaker

At one point, Yahya Black was a man of few words—a trait that may have stemmed from his upbringing in a small town with a population of fewer than 14,000 people.

Raised in Marshall, Minnesota, Black was supported by his father, Richard, a construction worker originally from Alabama—a state often regarded as having one of the strongest football traditions. The backbone of the family was his mother, Wendy, who consistently encouraged and supported his ambitions.

Beneath his quiet and measured demeanor lay a fierce competitor, unafraid to give his all in every endeavor. This was evident during his high school years at Marshall High School, where his head coach, Terry Bahlmann, quickly recognized his potential. Though Black did not make the varsity team until his sophomore year, he made a strong impression with his raw strength and physicality. While he was still a developing player, Bahlmann knew he had someone special on his team.

During his sophomore and junior years, Black played a crucial role in leading the team to the state playoffs, excelling as both a defensive end and left tackle. As a junior, he earned District Defensive Lineman of the Year honors, and in his senior year, he was named District Defensive Player of the Year and received all-state recognition. Despite receiving interest from schools such as Minnesota and Kansas State, Black ultimately chose Iowa—a program that aligned with his passion for defense.

After redshirting during the COVID-19 season in 2020, Black played in all 14 games the following year, recording 18 tackles, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. In his sophomore season with the Hawkeyes, he appeared in eight games, registering his first collegiate sack along with 11 tackles and two passes defended.

The 2023 season proved to be a breakout year for Black. As a junior, he earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition from both league coaches and media, solidifying his role as a full-time starter on the Hawkeyes’ defensive unit at defensive tackle. Over the course of 14 games, he set career highs in tackles (51), sacks (3.5), and pass deflections (5). In his senior year, Black once again received Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors after accumulating 34 tackles, a sack, and two passes defended across 13 starts at defensive tackle.

Size is one thing, but knowing how to maximize it is another. Black is among the rare defenders who can fully leverage his physical attributes to dominate in the trenches. Whether facing an opponent one-on-one or battling through double teams against the offensive line, his ability to consistently win in these situations sets him apart. This combination of strength, technique, and adaptability makes him one of the most underrated defenders in this year’s class.

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Impressive Pad Level

For the most part, linemen over 6'5" struggle to maintain a low pad level. However, despite his height and length, this does not appear to be a weakness for Black—if anything, it’s a strength. On film, Black demonstrates an exceptional ability to get underneath the shoulder pads of opposing offensive linemen, maintain a low pad level, and win with both power and refined technique.

One of the best examples of this is captured in his matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. In this sequence, Black lines up in a three-technique position on the left side. At the snap, he explodes out of his stance, immediately gaining leverage by getting underneath the shoulder pads of the Terrapins' guard. With leverage secured, Black sustains a relatively low pad level and drives the guard backward several yards with remarkable ease.

What stands out most is the timing—he has already displaced the guard before the handoff even occurs. The entire sequence unfolds rapidly; before the Terrapins' running back can find a gap, Black engages, secures the tackle, and records a loss on the play. Simply put, this is textbook run defense at its finest.

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Length and Leverage

Black boasts impressive physical dimensions, including a 35-inch arm length and an 83 7/8-inch wingspan—both ranking in the 96th percentile among linemen. As noted earlier, possessing size and length is one thing; effectively utilizing them is another. Black, however, is one of those rare linemen who consistently leverage his frame with precision and efficiency.

The next clip serves as yet another compelling example of his ability to maximize his physical traits on the field.

In this short clip against Ohio State, Black is again positioned on the left side in 3-technique, which is seemingly his strong side. When he the ball is snapped, he engages with the Buckeyes' guard keep his pad level relatively low. One detail to notice is how he attacks the guard on an angle to in order get a view of what is taking place in the backfield.

As the handoff takes place, Black extends his arms and uses his length to create separation. When the Buckeyes running back makes his way to his side, Black disengages from the Buckeyes' guard and in one fluid motion, stops the Buckeyes' running back in his tracks for a tackle for loss.

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Natural, Raw Power

To say the least, Black possesses natural strength and power that frequently overwhelm opposing offensive linemen and ball carriers, as demonstrated in previous examples. On the rare occasions when his technique falters, he relies on brute force to secure victories—whether rushing the passer, anchoring against double teams, or stopping the run.

This sequence is sample of how he can use his strength to his advantage when rushing the quarterback.

Once again, Black is positioned in a 3-technique alignment on the left side. At the snap, he engages the Northwestern guard with a higher-than-usual pad level, differing from previous clips. Despite this, he utilizes violent, active hands and raw power to drive the guard backward into the quarterback. As the pocket fully collapses, Black swiftly tracks the escaping quarterback and finishes the sack. While he may not be the most refined pass rusher, he compensates with sheer strength as a means of making disruptive plays in the backfield

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While reinforcing the defensive line with Derrick Harmon in the first round was essential for the Steelers, one could contend that the selection of Black further enhances their competitive strength this season. Observations suggest that Black is more than merely a space-filler; his innate power, versatility, and refined technique position him as a potential immediate contributor. Ultimately, Black may prove to be the most valuable acquisition of the Steelers' 2025 draft class.