Ross Blacklock grew up a Houston Texans fan, and now the dream is just beginning for the former TCU defensive lineman.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Blacklock signed a four-year contract worth $7.95 million with $4.92 million guaranteed. The Texans selected Blacklock with their 40th overall pick in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
“Grown men do cry,” said Blacklock, who played high school football at Elkins in the Fort Bend Independent School District. “I thought this one didn’t, but I’ve been crying all morning. It’s tears of joy, though. I’m not a guy who shows a lot of emotions, but this is something special.”
Texans rookie Ross Blacklock @1krozayy signs his rookie contract @ElkinsFootball @TCUFootball @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/xJHAINcIwG
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 21, 2020
Blacklock believes the signing of the contract led to such an emotional response due to the build-up from the draft process and the entire virtual offseason.
“I feel pretty good,” Blacklock said. “I’ve been crying all morning. I’m not going to lie to you. I think it’s just all the built-up emotions from the draft leading up to this moment, just knowing all the hard work has paid off.”
First-year defensive coordinator has big plans for the 6-4, 305-pound defensive lineman, who can also kick out from interior positions to play along the edge as a down lineman.
“He was a guy that from a measurable standpoint had all the attributes that you’re looking for,” Weaver told reporters on May 13. “Then when you watched him on tape, he was twitchy, he was instinctive and he found the ball. You can’t teach instincts in this game.”
With the emotions of officially being a Houston Texan exuded, Blacklock will need to regroup and get ready for an unorthodox, unprecedented training camp that favors veterans more than rookies. With preseason possibly canceled, Blacklock will have to be a quick study in order to help bolster a Texans defensive line that was anemic after the loss of J.J. Watt in Week 8.
