Ross Blacklock Overview
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’-3”
Weight: 290 pounds
School: Texas Christian University
NFL Combine Performance Data
40-Yard Dash: 4.9 Seconds (Unofficial)
Bench Press: did not participate
Vertical Jump: 29″
Broad Jump: 107″
3-Cone Drill: 7.77 Seconds
20-yard Shuttle: 4.67 Seconds
Ross Blacklock 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Ross Blacklock is a 21-year-old redshirt junior out of Texas Christian University. He’s from Missouri City, Texas and has a family tradition of sports. His father, Jimmy Blacklock was the first African American starter for the Texas Longhorns basketball team. However, Ross prefers the sport of football. He has played both the three-technique and the zero-technique on the defensive line. Admittedly, Blacklock had an Achilles injury that kept him from football for a year. Regardless of the injury, Blacklock has natural talent and will be a versatile lineman at the next level.
Blacklock’s redshirt freshman year was a memorable one. He had 14 solo tackles along with 6.5 for loss and two sacks. Furthermore, he was a Freshman All-American and the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2017. Unfortunately, Blacklock missed the entire 2018 season due to his Achilles injury. But the injury didn’t stop him. In fact, he got motivated. Blacklock lost 25 pounds during his off year. The lost weight was evident. Blacklock’s quickness is one of his better qualities and it showed his junior season. In Blacklock’s final college year he posted 25 solo tackles along with nine for loss and 3.5 sacks. As a result of his strong play, Blacklock earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2019. He now looks to take his talents to the NFL.
Strengths
- Good bend and agility that aids in his pursuit;
- can play anywhere on the defensive line;
- employs club-rip and chop-rip moves to work the edge;
- faced many double teams and still held the point of attack;
- doesn’t give up on plays, following downfield when he can;
- combination of burst and power can collapse the pocket quickly;
- slippery and agile enough to slip past gaps to put pressure on the quarterback.
Weaknesses
- Achilles injury could be a concern for teams;
- though his power is evident, he sometimes is slow to employ counters on a blocker;
- hand placement needs polishing;
- sack numbers are lacking relative to his speed and power;
- needs work processing blocking schemes.
NFL Comparison: John Randle
Teams with Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: Mid first to early second round
Bottom Line on Ross Blacklock
Blacklock is an outstanding athlete. Despite only playing two years in college and an Achilles injury, Blacklock has the ability to make an immediate impact in the NFL. He’ll, of course, have a learning curve. However, learning curves are to be expected with NFL rookies. Blacklock’s combination of speed, athleticism, and power are coveted traits by any team. He met with over 21 teams at the NFL Scouting Combine. While the rest of this year’s draft process is different, he’ll be high on many GM’s draft boards.
Blacklock is likely to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. He may not carry the elite status of Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw, but he’s right there with them in terms of potential and athleticism. Blacklock will be a disruptive force on any defense and he should start within his first few seasons.
Main photo:
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