Ethan Black is a 5'9" wide receiver from Davidsville, Pennsylvania, where he attended Conemaugh Township High School as a four-year letterwinner and team captain. In his final high school season, Black recorded 1,645 all-purpose yards, including 56 receptions for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 218 rushing yards and three scores. He also earned first-team all-conference, all-area, and all-county honors. Black redshirted during his true freshman season at Penn State in 2023, earning Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Year. He appeared in two games on special teams during his redshirt freshman campaign in 2024, recording a tackle against Maryland. As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, Black appeared in four games and earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition.