"He could eventually become a first-round draft pick": Five-star OT signee Will Black receives praise from Notre Dame insider

Notre Dame's 2025 class has a mighty prospect in offensive tackle signee Will Black. Among the 25 committed players in this cycle, he stands out as the lone five-star recruit.

The Irish front office is effusive in its praise for Black, with one official telling 247Sports:

"Freak athlete... He has a low center of gravity,but he's super-tall. The way he moves, the way he plays with leverage, he looks like he's 6-3 when he's actually 6-7. He's a freak athlete, who we believe could eventually become a first-round draft pick."

When Black committed to Notre Dame, he was relatively unknown in recruiting circles. However, his talent became evident with time, leading to a meteoric rise in February when major recruiting services elevated his rankings. Black is now the No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2025 class and the No. 26 prospect nationally, per On3. He was named to On3’s “future freaks” list earlier this year.

Many experts pegged Black as a strong Michigan lean due to his multiple visits to Ann Arbor. Despite receiving an offer from Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, he didn’t visit South Bend immediately. However, Marcus Freeman's program ultimately sealed the deal by securing Black’s commitment and fending off late pushes from other top programs.

A native of London, Ontario, Will Black played high school football at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut. He is the fourth Canadian player on the Irish roster, joining defensive linemen Devan Houstan, Armel Mukam and Sean Sevillano, as well as fellow 2025 recruit, quarterback Blake Hebert.

Will Black draws comparison to one of Notre Dame's legends

Will Black is making waves in the recruiting world, drawing comparisons to former Notre Dame unanimous All-American Joe Alt. According to his On3 scouting profile, Black is ahead of where Alt was during his high school career.

“Black’s frame, fluid movement skills and controlled coordination working at left tackle reminds us of Joe Alt," On3 wrote. "Black is further along as a true offensive lineman than Alt at the same stage."

Alt transitioned from tight end and defensive end to offensive tackle later in high school. However, Black has been primarily an offensive lineman, which gives him an edge in experience at the position.

Alt earned two All-American honors at Notre Dame and played a big part in the team’s offensive line by helping the Irish average 4.6 yards per carry in 2022. His dominance culminated in his selection as the fifth overall pick by the LA Chargers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Meanwhile, Will Black is known for his light-footed agility in pass protection and ability to anticipate defensive moves. While still early in his journey, he has all the tools to follow in Joe Alt’s footsteps.