Texans Select Ross Blacklock with No. 40 pick in NFL Draft

Ross Blacklock fills Houston's need for defensive depth on Friday night

The Houston Texans selected DT Ross Blacklock with the No. 40 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Blacklock was raised in Missouri, Texas and attended Elkins High School. Blacklock was a highly recruited four-star defensive lineman and was invited to the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game after his senior season with the Knights. Blacklock committed to TCU after considering offers from Texas A&M and Houston.

After starting 14 games, recording 27 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, Blacklock (6-foot-3, 290 pounds) earned freshman All-American honors at TCU in 2017. He suffered a setback when he tore his Achilles during a non-contact drill during the summer and that forced him to miss his entire sophomore season.

After his injury, Blacklock came back leaner, which led to added quickness and explosiveness. His enhanced frame translated to increased production on the field for the Horned Frogs in 2019. Blacklock recorded 40 tackles (nine tackles for loss) and 3.5 sacks while playing at multiple positions along the defensive line. He tied for the TCU lead in sacks, while his nine tackles for loss tied for second.

Blacklock, who will need to add weight to play either tackle or nose in the NFL, had a decent showing at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in February. The TCU standout posted a 4.9-second 40-yard dash with a 29-inch vertical leap. He’s a relentless pass-rusher, with elite lateral quickness, and has shown good rushing instincts that should translate well to the next level.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Blacklock as the No. 41 overall player on his big board:

Often utilized in a two-gap role at TCU, Blacklock displays impressive burst and lateral agility to be a disruptive one-gap penetrator at the next level. His pass-rushing upside puts him in the mix as a potential first-rounder in April.

2019 stats (Junior; TCU): 25 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, 3.5 sacks (12 games)

2018 stats (Sophomore; TCU): Missed the entire season due to an Achilles injury

2017 stats (Freshman; TCU): 14 solo tackles, 27 total tackles, 2 sacks (14 games)

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