TCU junior defensive tackle Ross Blacklock declares for NFL draft
TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock is ready to take his game to the next level.
Blacklock declared for the NFL draft Friday, ending his college career by becoming an early entrant in the 2020 draft. He made the announcement through his Twitter account.
Blacklock thanked TCU coach Gary Patterson and defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch, as well as the TCU community as a whole.
“This decision has been weighing on me for some time now,” Blacklock wrote. “A wise man once told me, ‘follow your heart, and you’ll never go wrong.’
“Playing in the NFL has always been a dream of mine since I was 5 years old. After much prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to forgo my remaining eligibility and will enter the 2020 NFL Draft.”
The NFL’s College Advisory Committee recommended Blacklock return for his senior season, according to sources, but he is willing to bet on himself by going pro.
The committee grades prospects as either first-round or second-round talents. Any player who receives a grade lower than second round is recommended to “return to school.”
Some have described the committee’s grades as “ultra-conservative” and the pre-draft process is an opportunity for prospects to boost their stock.
The Athletic’s NFL draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has ranked Blacklock as the ninth-best interior defensive lineman and a possible top-100 pick in this year’s class.
Blacklock has not signed with an agent yet.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 17 to declare for the draft, and then have a 72-hour reconsideration window to make a final decision Jan. 20. On Jan. 21, the underclassmen list is official and sent to NFL teams.
Blacklock is the second Horned Frog to declare for the draft early this offseason, joining wide receiver Jalen Reagor. Blacklock’s also the second defensive linemen to bolt the program this month, as defensive end Adam Plant Jr. has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Blacklock started all 12 games for the Horned Frogs this season, finishing with 40 tackles, including nine for loss and a team-leading 3 1/2 sacks. He also had three QB hurries.
Blacklock, who was sidelined in 2018 with an Achilles injury, improved as the season progressed. He had 2.5 tackles for loss against Kansas in the Big 12 opener and two tackles for loss at Kansas State.
Blacklock’s career ended in disappointing fashion, though. He was ejected for targeting in the fourth quarter of the season-ending 20-17 loss against West Virginia last month.
Blacklock led with his helmet on a late hit on WVU quarterback Jarret Doege. He was called for roughing the passer and targeting on the game-deciding drive in the fourth quarter, gifting the Mountaineers a first down when they faced a third-and-12 situation from midfield.
For his college career, Blacklock finishes with 67 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in two full seasons. He had a standout redshirt freshman season in 2017, earning Big 12 co-defensive freshman of the year honors.
Blacklock, the son of Harlem Globetrotters coach Jimmy Blacklock, joined TCU as a four-star prospect out of Missouri City Elkins High School.
With Blacklock leaving the program, TCU will have a void to fill. The Horned Frogs return just one starting defensive tackle, with Corey Bethley entering his senior season.
Along with Bethley, other returners include Soni Misi, Terrell Cooper and George Ellis III. TCU also landed two highly touted defensive tackle prospects in its 2020 recruiting class: Louisiana native Patrick Jenkins and former South Carolina signee Jaquaze Sorrells.
This story was originally published December 27, 2019 at 3:09 PM.
