Nov 24, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Yahya Black (94) carries the Heroes Trophy after beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

New York Giants Draft Prospect: IDL Yahya Black, Iowa

Originally posted on New York Giants on SI
By Nick Falato | Last updated Jan 16, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Welcome to our New York Giants draft prospect profiles. Every day, we'll have a profile of a draft prospect in different positions whose skill set could fit what the Giants are looking for.

Yahya Black, IDL

A former four-star recruit out of Marshall High School in Marshall, Minnesota, where he was the second recruit in his state and the 14th athlete in the 2020 recruiting class. Black redshirt after four games as a freshman; he added weight and became a full-time starter in his final two seasons on campus, earning an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team.

Black mostly played inside of the 4i-shade for the Hawkeyes, specifically 1-T, 2i, and 3-T. He had 11 pressures on 290 pass-rushing reps in 2024. He recorded 40 total pressures in his five seasons at Iowa. His missed tackle rate was just 8.7%. Black will be in attendance at the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Summary

Yahya Black is an excellent – fundamentally sound – run defender who executed his assignments well within Iowa’s defensive structure. His good physicality and length allowed him to lock blockers out and anchor well at the point of attack; he possesses crafty hands to quickly separate while doing an adequate job locating the ball carrier near his gap responsibility. His size and run-defending prowess allow him to operate as a 1T in an EVEN front or an ODD front 4i-T.

He’s a valuable asset but lacks the juice and athletic ability to be an impact player in passing situations. He separates well with precise hands but lacks the short-area quickness and twitch to threaten consistently, nor does he stress the pocket consistently with his bull rush.

Overall, Black will quickly earn snaps on early downs and make impact plays as a smart run defender who eats space and dictates at the line of scrimmage. The Giants could use a player like him on day three.

GRADE: 6.28