On Mother’s Day and Every Day, Notre Dame’s 5-Star OT Will Black Pays Tribute to the Woman Who Made It All Possible
Will Black has never needed a calendar to remember how much his mother means to him. The Notre Dame five-star offensive tackle commit celebrates her presence in his life every single day. But on Mother’s Day, he makes it known to the world: everything he is, and everything he’s working to become, is a reflection of the love, sacrifice, and strength of the woman who raised him.
For Will, football is far more than a sport. It’s a bond — a shared dream that traces its roots to early mornings, long drives, and late nights filled with encouragement from the sidelines. His mother, Tricia Black, has been his rock. A single mom who juggled work, parenting, and the pressure of making ends meet, she managed to provide Will not only with the necessities, but also the emotional and moral compass that continues to guide him.
“I owe everything to her,” Will says without hesitation. “From the moment I first picked up a football, she believed in me. She was there through every practice, every injury, every moment of doubt. She never let me quit.”
Will is a mountain of a young man at 6-foot-7 and nearly 300 pounds, a towering presence on the field with a mean streak in the trenches. But off the field, his personality mirrors the values his mom instilled: humility, discipline, and grace. That’s no coincidence. His mother taught him to treat everyone with kindness and respect, no matter the setting — even in a game where brute strength often defines success.
Long before the college offers rolled in and the scouting services added stars to his name, Will was just a kid who loved the game. What separated him from others wasn’t just his size or athleticism. It was his work ethic — and that, he says, comes directly from watching his mom.
“She worked two jobs when I was in middle school,” Will recalls. “There were days she’d be up before me and come home after I was asleep. But somehow, she’d still find time to make sure I was good, to ask about my day, to check my homework. I didn’t realize it then, but now that I’m older, I understand how hard that must’ve been. She did it all by herself, and she never complained.”
Recruiting analysts rave about Will’s footwork, his agility, his understanding of the game. Coaches say he’s one of the most college-ready offensive linemen they’ve ever seen at the high school level. But ask Will what he’s most proud of, and he doesn’t mention pancakes or pass sets. He talks about staying grounded, staying grateful, and staying hungry — values that trace back to his mother’s example.
“I remember she once told me, ‘Hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but it does guarantee that you’ll be proud of yourself.’ That stuck with me. No matter what I do, I want her to be proud.”
The recruiting process has been a whirlwind for Will. Programs across the country opened their doors wide, hoping to land the anchor of their future offensive line. But when Notre Dame came calling, something clicked. It wasn’t just about football. It was the culture. The values. The family-oriented environment. It felt like home.
When Will and his mom visited South Bend, it wasn’t the glitz or tradition that sealed the deal — though there was plenty of that. It was how people treated them. It was how coaches made an effort to know Tricia, to understand her role in Will’s life, and to include her in everything.
“That visit changed everything,” Will says. “We sat down with Coach Freeman and Coach Rudolph, and it wasn’t just about what I could do for Notre Dame. It was about who I was as a person, who raised me, and what kind of young man I wanted to become. That meant a lot to both of us.”
Since committing to Notre Dame, Will has kept his focus on growth — physically, mentally, and emotionally. He knows the leap from high school to college football will test him in every way imaginable. But he also knows he’s not going into it alone. His mother will be there, just as she always has been, cheering him on in the stands and grounding him when things get tough.
“I’m excited for the next chapter,” he says. “But I’m also aware that this opportunity is bigger than me. It’s about my family. It’s about showing my mom that all her sacrifices were worth it.”
The two still talk every night. Sometimes it’s about football, sometimes about school, and sometimes about nothing in particular. But those conversations are sacred. They’re a reminder that no matter how far Will goes — whether it’s a dominant college career, an NFL future, or something beyond football — he’ll never lose sight of where he came from.
On Mother’s Day, Will will likely post a photo or a heartfelt message on social media — a tradition he’s followed in recent years. But the real tribute isn’t in a caption. It’s in the way he lives. In the effort he brings to every workout. In the leadership he shows in the locker room. In the respect he offers to teammates, coaches, and opponents alike.
“I don’t need a holiday to honor my mom,” Will says with a quiet smile. “Every day, I try to do right by her. That’s my way of saying thank you.”
The road to Notre Dame wasn’t easy. There were hurdles, doubts, injuries, and setbacks. But through it all, there was a mother who refused to let her son settle for less. Who showed him that strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s found in quiet perseverance. In patience. In unwavering love.
Will’s story is still being written. There will be big games ahead, moments of glory, and likely some disappointments too. But no matter what happens, he’ll walk through each door with the confidence that comes from knowing he is supported by someone who believes in him more than anyone else ever could.
“That’s what keeps me going,” he says. “Knowing that every time I put my hand in the dirt, I’m playing for more than just myself. I’m playing for her.”
Mother’s Day may only come once a year, but for Will Black, honoring his mom is a lifelong commitment. On the field, in the classroom, and in life, he is the embodiment of her strength and sacrifice. And at Notre Dame, he plans to carry that legacy with him every step of the way.
