LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – It's become as routine as watching the Steelers stretch daily at training camp, Yahya Black is going to knock down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Saturday, he gets a shot to do it against NFL players for the first time.
He is 6'6", 336 pounds with a seven-foot wingspan and monster hands. He plays even bigger. Black is noticeable at camp and he said he really hasn't settled in as a pro.
"I'm a big guy, you got to learn to use it," Black said. "Take your whole mass and use it on another guy."
"He's a high energy, big, an enormous man," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "He hustles, he finishes, and I think that's a good place to begin from a skill development standpoint. Obviously, it's a work in progress, but there's a lot to like."
The rookie from Iowa would agree that he really hasn't touched what he might be able to do. He said he just does everything that they preach. Then he tries to take it all in and apply it on the field.
There is technique and timing to being good at batting down passes, Cam Heyward has been one of the best in the league the last decade and he's building a relationship with the All Pro defensive lineman.
"Just repetition," Black said. "At first you are just throwing it up there and hoping you are in the way. It's just repetition."
And its repetition with the same people, so you learn what your teammates can do and it allows him to be more successful. Black said he is taking bits and pieces from everybody. Getting to know those around him, especially a guy like Keeanu Benton who went through some of the same growing pains two years ago.
"Being able to play with the guy next to you really just makes everything flow like water," Black said.
He won't have Heyward on the field with him in Jacksonville, but he will have Benton, rookie Derrick Harmon and Isaiahh Loudermilk. Black tried to downplay his debut saying it's another game and not making it a bigger deal than it is. But, he admits the anticipation is pretty high.
"To really go out there and play football against someone else, it's a whole new game," Black said.
Depth on that defensive line was a top priority and they've been searching for a later round pick who could make an impact, Black has early. Now let's see what he does against non-teammates.
