Another TCU football player is going bowling. Plus decision looming for DT Blacklock.
Another TCU player is going bowling this offseason.
Senior running back Sewo Olonilua has accepted an invite to the NFLPA’s Collegiate Bowl next month. The game is scheduled for Jan. 18 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.
The all-star event started in 2012 as a way for players to showcase their skills in front of professional scouts. Olonilua joins a handful of other TCU players to play in the game, including former quarterbacks Trevone Boykin (2016) and Kenny Hill (2018).
Olonilua closed his college career by rushing for 537 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns this season. For his career, he rushed for 1,624 yards and 18 TDs. He also had 383 yards receiving over his tenure.
Olonilua’s best moment came as a junior in 2018, when he rushed for 194 yards and was named the offensive MVP in TCU’s 10-7 overtime victory over Cal in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Olonilua is an attractive player at the next level given his versatility. Along with running back, Olonilua has the size (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) to play fullback and tight end.
Olonilua joined TCU as a four-star recruit out of Kingwood High School.
Along with Olonilua, TCU has several other seniors participating in all-star events next month.
Cornerback Jeff Gladney and running back Darius Anderson accepted invites to the prestigious Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. And offensive lineman Cordel Iwuagwu has been invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Blacklock waiting
TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock continues to weigh his options of returning to school for his senior season, or turning professional, sources said.
Blacklock likely won’t make his decision until the semester concludes and he receives feedback from the NFL’s College Advisory Committee.
The committee provides a draft grade for underclassmen prospects such as Blacklock, informing them whether scouts view them as a potential first round, potential second round or “neither.”
“Neither” is effectively a recommendation to stay in school, as the NFL feels a player’s best chance for success is usually staying in school, earning an education and improving his draft stock by completing his college football eligibility.
Blacklock is coming off a solid junior season in which he was named first-team All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches. He started all 12 games, finishing with 40 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 3 1/2 sacks. He also had three QB hurries.
Blacklock, who was sidelined last season 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 K-State.
For his career, Blacklock has 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.
TCU has seen one underclassmen already declare for the NFL Draft in wide receiver Jalen Reagor.
This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 5:22 PM.
