The NFL officially starts this week!
The three-game preseason wrapped up at the end of August and over 30 former Hawkeyes will take the field for NFL organizations this season.
Of the over 30 former Iowa players on NFL rosters, five are rookies who survived the 53-roster cutdown in August.
This weekend, Yahya Black and Kaleb Johnson will take the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their first game against the New York Jets at Noon Central Time on CBS.
Both Black and KJ had solid preseason performances and are projected to make an impact for the Steelers during their rookie seasons.
Before the Steelers first game of the 2025-2026 season, Black changed his official number to one that is much more familiar to Hawkeye fans.
.@Yblack74 with the new digits ‼️ pic.twitter.com/8CThJiD2Zi
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 1, 2025
Black switched from No. 78 to No. 94 after officially making the Steelers' roster.
Iowa fans remember Black terrorizing opposing Big Ten quarterbacks for years wearing the No. 94, and it is fitting that he will feature that number during his first season in the NFL.
During the offseason and three preseason games, Black impressed the Pittsburgh coaching staff with his work ethic and versatility, and is projected to play defensive end or nose tackle to start the season.
In three preseason games, Black tallied six total tackles (four solo, two assisted), two sacks, and a forced fumble.
On the Steelers' depth chart following roster cuts, Black is slotted in as the No. 2 defensive end behind starter Derrick Harmon, but can also play the nose tackle position after seeing time there during the preseason.