FORT WORTH, Texas _ The Houston Texans have found an answer to create inside pressure along its defensive line.
TCU's Ross Blacklock is headed to the Houston Texans as the 40th pick in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday night.
Blacklock, the son of Harlem Globetrotters coach Jimmy Blacklock, grew up in the Houston area as a standout defensive tackle at Missouri City (Texas) Elkins High School.
He is expected to make an immediate impact as a prototypical defensive tackle who has experience playing the three-technique and nose.
Blacklock had 67 tackles in his career, including 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, but was sidelined with an Achilles injury in 2018.
Blacklock started all 12 games for the Horned Frogs in 2019, finishing with 40 tackles, including nine for loss and a team-leading 3.5 sacks. He also had three QB hurries.
Blacklock was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2019, declaring for the NFL draft with one year of eligibility remaining.
TCU coach Gary Patterson felt Blacklock could have been a top-15 pick if he returned for his senior season, but Patterson doesn't try to sway players one way or the other. Patterson simply believes Blacklock would have boosted his stock more with more game film after missing the 2018 season.
Additionally, Patterson felt Blacklock needed to put on more weight in the 320-pound range compared to the 290 pounds he weighed at the combine.
"The more resume you have, it's always going to help," Patterson said. "But I'm never going to tell them to go or to stay. It's not going to be my fault."
Blacklock is the third TCU player taken in this year's draft. On Thursday night, the two Horned Frogs selected marked the first time two players were taken in Round 1 since 1939. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor was picked 21st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings went with cornerback Jeff Gladney at 31.
