The Steelers liked Yahya Black enough to feel the need to double-dip on the defensive line. His college coach is confident he\u2019ll show everyone why. A fifth-round pick out of Iowa, Black will have to start by earning a 53-man roster spot. Once he has his foot in the door, he can start making his move and showing what he can offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had many guys with size and abilities, but I told the NFL people, from my vantage point, at least, I think the best is still to come\u201d, Iowa Hawkeyes HC Kirk Ferentz told Dale Lolley<\/a> about Yahya Black. \u201cHe\u2019s had some injuries he\u2019s had to deal with during his time here. And maybe I\u2019m old-fashioned, I don\u2019t know, but I do believe guys get better when they practice. I just believe it, the more the more you play and the more you practice, the better you get\u201d.<\/p>\n Black played five seasons at Iowa, Ferentz recruiting him in 2019. He missed time in 2020 and in 2022 due to injury, the latter a foot injury. He did play extensively in the past two seasons, but perhaps Ferentz is referencing a minor injury that caused him to miss practice but not playing time.<\/p>\n The Steelers have their starting nose tackle in Keeanu Benton, in whom the coaching staff remains confident for that role<\/a>. They did release Montravius Adams, however, so there is a defensive tackle spot available. There is a bit of a logjam of bodies in their defensive line room, but Black figures to be one of the better reserves.<\/p>\n Obviously, the Steelers think so, or they wouldn\u2019t have bothered drafting him. They coveted Black primarily as a potential space-eater, but they may see more in him. While they say this about every defensive lineman\u2014even Daniel McCullers<\/a>\u2014they see Black playing up and down the line<\/a>. But wherever he lines up, his former head coach sees success in his future.<\/p>\n \u201cI just think there\u2019s more there\u201d, Ferentz said of Black. \u201cI think when he still can play faster and can play more fluidly, and I think that\u2019s waiting for him. So to me, a little bit more time, a little bit more experience, he\u2019s going to take another step of learning all those types of things. But I think you\u2019ll see continued growth and development with him\u201d.<\/p>\n