Kai Black, Northern Iowa TE: the 2026 season story
Kai Black is a senior tight end for Northern Iowa (MVFC). He ranks 32nd of 305 tight ends in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every tight end on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked tight end, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Kai Black's strongest measure is target success rate at 73%, 7th of 169 (the average is 51%). His weakest is target share at 9%, 90th of 169 (the average is 10%).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His receiving yards per game, 31, ranks 40th among 169 ranked tight ends.
Against every tight end
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked tight ends he sits, on average, in the 63rd percentile for volume, 85th for efficiency and 73rd for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 5 games, Kai Black's best came in week 7 at Youngstown State and his quietest in week 10 against South Dakota State.
When it matters
Why it matters. Third downs, the red zone and games against good teams are where drives and seasons are decided.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every tight end on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Kai Black is 2nd of 136 FCS tight ends and 1st of 13 in the MVFC. Next up nationally is Joshua Acord of Southern Utah, 0.20 ahead on the index.
Tight ends like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Rocco Ciocca of Norfolk State.
