The NFL dream often begins long before a player hears their name called on draft day. For cornerback Korie Black, it started in the hard-nosed culture of Oklahoma State, molded by long days under the relentless sun and a program built on toughness, accountability, and consistency. Now, as he walks through the doors of the New York Giants’ facility, that foundation is paying dividends.
“Prepared me a lot,” Black said when asked how his time at Oklahoma State readied him for the next level. “Just how we did things, how the culture was… you can kind of just attest to it. We got a lot of guys from Oklahoma State that’s in the league, currently playing and just sticking around because of hard work. So, I feel like being there really helped me.”
Despite the pedigree and preparation, the road to the draft wasn’t without its frustrations. At times, it felt as though the buzz that once surrounded his name had quieted. But Black never let that noise define him.
“Every day I just tried to take it day by day and focus on me,” he said. “During that pre-draft stuff, I didn’t worry about the outside noise. Just kept my head down and worked, and eventually the buzz came back. It was fun, but the focus was always just on the work.”
That quiet, focused mentality has served him well—especially as he begins to transition into life in the NFL. And yet, even for someone as grounded as Black, there were moments that felt surreal.
One of them came on draft day when his phone lit up with a FaceTime call from a number he didn’t recognize. On the other end? None other than Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson.
“It was amazing,” Black recalled with a smile. “You get a call from a random number, and then you see him pop up on the screen. It was a cool experience. I even put my little brother on the phone. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
But now, the time for starstruck moments is over. Black understands that the NFL isn’t just a dream anymore—it’s his job. The fan in him has given way to the professional determined to make his mark.
“This is a profession now, and I’m part of the team,” he said. “I’m really just ready to learn and work with these guys. Russell, guys like that—they’ve got experience. They can really guide me, and that’s what I’m looking forward to. Learning from them and working with them.”
One of the biggest adjustments for Black has been the physical realities of the NFL field itself. In college, the wider hashes created different spacing and angles for defensive backs. In the NFL, those margins shrink dramatically.
“My college coaches always reminded me, the hashes are this big now,” Black said, gesturing with his hands. “It’s something new to see on the field, but you can’t make too big of a deal of it. Just got to learn how offenses attack you differently because of it.”
While the playbook will get more complex and the competition fiercer, Black isn’t daunted. He’s already thinking about how to speed up his learning curve—by finding a veteran to show him the ropes.
“My friends who are in the league told me to find a vet, watch how they learn, how they do things, and pick up what works for me,” he explained. “I’ve been putting things together from college, thinking about what’s similar and just adjusting to the terminology. But finding that guy who can help me navigate it all—that’s key.”
The Giants’ secondary is young, but that’s not a concern for Black. If anything, he sees it as an opportunity for the group to bond and grow together, building something special from the ground up.
“I’m just ready to get in there with the guys and learn,” Black said. “They’ve got experience, they’re talented, and I just want to soak up as much as I can. That’s the focus.”
For Korie Black, the NFL isn’t a finish line—it’s just the next phase of a journey defined by humility, hard work, and quiet confidence. And if his history is any indication, don’t expect him to talk much about it. He’ll let his play do the speaking.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
