Growing up in Flagstaff, Noble Young-Blackgoat was exposed to football at a young age and quickly became one of the most promising players in Coconino County. Less than a decade later, he is preparing for his second season with the Lumberjacks after turning a preferred walk-on opportunity into a full athletic scholarship.
For Young-Blackgoat, the milestone represented more than recognition for his play on the field. It reflected years of support from his family, perseverance through uncertainty and an opportunity to represent both his hometown and his Navajo heritage.
"I'll remember that moment forever," Young-Blackgoat said of learning he had earned a scholarship during a team meeting this past spring. "Coach (Brian) Wright said, 'One more thing. Noble Young-Blackgoat, you're on scholarship.' To hear everyone around me and everyone come up to me – that was the best part."
Young-Blackgoat appeared in nine games as a freshman in 2025, primarily on special teams, recording four solo tackles while earning Big Sky All-Academic honors. Entering the 2026 season, he is expected to take on a larger role after transitioning from safety to linebacker.
His path to Division I football began just a few miles from campus.
A graduate of Coconino High School, Young-Blackgoat was named the 2024 Arizona Daily Sun Football Athlete of the Year after starring on both sides of the ball. Despite finishing his high school career with more than 1,100 receiving yards and 143 tackles, his only Division I opportunity came as a preferred walk-on at NAU.
Rather than viewing the lack of scholarship offers as a setback, he embraced the opportunity.
"As a walk-on, it was the mental aspect," Young-Blackgoat said of his biggest challenge last season. "Not knowing if that was enough. I just tried to focus on taking one day at a time."
That mindset was shaped by his family, particularly his older brother, Prayer, who also followed the walk-on path before earning a scholarship. Prayer is a third-year linebacker at Arizona State.
"He's kind of shown me how things work," Young-Blackgoat said. "Growing up together and pushing each other, he definitely made me a better football player and a better person.
Family has remained at the center of his football journey.
Young-Blackgoat, who is of mixed heritage, said his parents taught him that every opportunity comes with the responsibility of representing more than himself.
"I'm representing my last name, my Navajo tribe and my African American side," he said. "I want people to look back and see a kid who really valued his family."
Earlier this summer, Young-Blackgoat learned he is among a small number of current Native American Division I football student-athletes. The statistic surprised him, but he hopes his story encourages younger athletes from similar backgrounds.
"I think it shows people from that side of my family that they can achieve their dreams too," he said. "Nothing's too far."
He believes success comes from more than athletic ability.
"I hope they realize hard work can take them further than they'd ever dream," Young-Blackgoat said. "Lean on your family, work as hard as you can and everything else will work itself out."
While his scholarship marked a major milestone, Young-Blackgoat is focused on what comes next.
After spending last season primarily on special teams, he moved from safety to linebacker during the offseason. The transition has required him to become stronger physically while learning new responsibilities closer to the line of scrimmage.
"(Linebacker) Coach (Max) Silver has made it really easy because he's such a great teacher," Young-Blackgoat said. "I'm learning the linebacker spot and this defense a lot faster than I did last year."
The move also gives him the opportunity to earn more defensive snaps.
"What excites me is having people depend on me," he said. "Having a bigger role and getting true snaps on defense."
Away from football, Young-Blackgoat continues to prioritize academics. He said his parents emphasized throughout his life that football is temporary, while a college degree lasts forever.
"They've always told me school comes first," he said. "Football will come to an end, but nobody can ever take my degree away."
As he prepares for a larger role in the Lumberjacks' defense, Young-Blackgoat hopes his impact extends beyond the field.
"I want to be that hometown guy with kind of a crazy story," he said. "I want to push people like me to reach their goals and show them that it's possible."
For the Flagstaff native, the journey from local fan to scholarship athlete is only one chapter. The next begins this fall, with new responsibilities, a new position and the opportunity to inspire the community where his football career first began.
