Learn more about defensive end Yahya Black in this edition of Five Fast Facts.
1. The Steelers selected Black in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa with the 164th overall pick. Black started all 13 games in 2024, making 27 career starts, while recording 34 tackles, 18 of them solo stops this past season. He had seven tackles for a loss, one sack, two passes defensed, two quarterback pressures and one blocked field goal.
2. Black was one of the winners of the Hayden Fry 'Extra Heartbeat' Award, presented to team members who show exemplary leadership and dedication throughout the year in the offseason.
3. Black played at Marshall High School in Minnesota where he earned all-state honors as a senior and was district Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named district Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior and set a school record for career sacks with 17.5. He also lettered four years in track and basketball.
4. Black's pregame playlist isn't exactly what most football players listen to. He listens to Adele. Not that there is anything wrong with listening to Adele, but her sentimental songwriting isn't exactly hype-music before a physical football game. But that is just the plan.
"That's what I did every single game since freshman year," said Black. "It was the calm before the storm.
"A big part of it was I don't want to rile myself up, and Adele is that soothing voice. My stepmom introduced her music to me when I was young, and I stuck with it."
5. First impressions are everything, and Black's first impression of Pittsburgh was a good one. He made a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh and loved the view coming out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel where the City of Pittsburgh just appears in front of you.
"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."
