Ross Blacklock Bio
Ross Blacklock (born July 9, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound athlete was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans with the 40th overall pick. Blacklock played college football at Texas Christian University, where he earned recognition as a Freshman All-American and Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2017. His professional career has spanned six NFL franchises over five seasons.
Early Life and Background
Ross Blacklock was born in Missouri City, Texas, on July 9, 1998. His father, Jimmy Blacklock, played for and later served as a coach for the Harlem Globetrotters, giving Ross early exposure to professional athletics from a young age. Growing up in Missouri City, he attended Elkins High School, where he developed into a standout football player for the Knights.
Blacklock’s performance as a high school senior caught the attention of college recruiters nationwide. Following his final season at Elkins, he was selected to play in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game. During the nationally televised event, he publicly committed to continue his football career at Texas Christian University.
Path to the NFL
Blacklock joined the TCU Horned Frogs program in 2016 and redshirted during his first season on campus in Fort Worth. He became a full-time starter as a redshirt freshman in 2017, making an immediate impact on the defensive line. His stellar play helped lead TCU to its first-ever berth in the Big 12 Championship Game and a victory in the 2017 Alamo Bowl over Stanford University. His exceptional freshman campaign earned him Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors along with Freshman All-American recognition from the Football Writers Association of America.
The promising start to his collegiate career was derailed in August 2018 when Blacklock suffered an injury that forced him to miss his entire sophomore season. He spent nine months recovering before receiving medical clearance to return for his junior year in 2019. Blacklock returned to form during his junior season, recording enough strong performances to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. After the season concluded, he announced his decision to bypass his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ross Blacklock Career
Houston Texans (2020–2021)
Blacklock was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 40th overall pick, which became their first selection that year. The Texans had acquired this draft capital from the Arizona Cardinals in the trade that sent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona in exchange for running back David Johnson. The selection represented a significant investment in the TCU product as a building block for their defensive front.
His rookie season presented challenges as Blacklock adjusted to the professional level. In Week 2 of the 2020 season against the Baltimore Ravens, he was ejected late in the fourth quarter for throwing a punch. Blacklock finished his inaugural professional season with 14 tackles and one tackle for a loss but failed to record a sack. The learning curve proved steep as he worked to translate his collegiate success to the NFL level.
Minnesota Vikings (2022)
On August 30, 2022, Blacklock was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings sent a sixth-round draft pick to Houston in exchange for Blacklock and a seventh-round selection. He joined a Vikings defensive line looking to bolster its interior pass rush and rotation. Blacklock’s tenure in Minnesota lasted one season as he was waived on August 29, 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)
Following his release from Minnesota, Blacklock signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 4, 2023. He spent time developing with the team before being released on October 23 of that year.
Indianapolis Colts (2023)
Blacklock quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on October 24, 2023. His stint with the Colts proved brief as he was released less than a week later on October 30.
Tennessee Titans (2023)
Blacklock signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad on November 15, 2023. His performance during practice earned him a promotion to the active roster on December 30, allowing him to finish the 2023 season on Tennessee’s 53-man roster.
New York Giants (2024–2025)
On December 10, 2024, the New York Giants signed Blacklock to their practice squad. He demonstrated enough promise during the offseason program to secure a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. The Giants released him on April 15, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons (2026–Present)
Blacklock signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 11, 2026, after a successful tryout during rookie minicamp. The opportunity represented a fresh start with a new organization as he works to establish himself in the league.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Blacklock possesses the size and length that NFL teams covet in an interior defensive lineman. His collegiate production demonstrated his ability to penetrate gaps and disrupt opposing backfields. His quick first step allowed him to collapse pockets and create pressure on quarterbacks from the defensive tackle position. Blacklock’s experience across multiple NFL organizations has broadened his understanding of varied defensive schemes and responsibilities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blacklock’s 2017 freshman season at TCU stands as a defining chapter of his football career. He helped orchestrate TCU’s breakthrough campaign that included the program’s first Big 12 Championship Game appearance. His selection in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Game as a high school senior marked him as a nationally recognized prospect. During his professional career, his ejection from the Week 2 game against Baltimore in his rookie year served as an early learning experience in his NFL journey.
Ross Blacklock Career Statistics
Through five NFL seasons with six different franchises, Blacklock has accumulated 40 career tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass deflections. His limited statistical output reflects the rotational roles he has filled throughout his professional career. The bulk of his production came during his time with the Tennessee Titans, where he saw increased playing time late in the 2023 season.
| Season | Team | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Houston Texans | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Houston Texans | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| 2022 | Minnesota Vikings | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| 2023 | Multiple Teams | Partial | Partial | Partial |
| 2024 | New York Giants | Partial | Partial | Partial |
Ross Blacklock Family
Family Background
Ross Blacklock comes from an athletic family with professional sports connections. His father, Jimmy Blacklock, played for and later coached the Harlem Globetrotters, the world-renowned exhibition basketball team. This athletic lineage provided Ross with early exposure to elite competition and professional expectations from a young age.
Personal Life
Blacklock maintains a presence on social media under the handle @1krozayy on Instagram. He continues to pursue his professional football career while building on the foundation established during his collegiate and early professional years.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his release from the New York Giants in April 2025, Blacklock enters the 2025 season seeking to find stability in his NFL career. His subsequent signing with the Atlanta Falcons represents a fresh opportunity with a new organization. The Falcons’ defensive scheme and coaching staff may offer him a better chance to contribute consistently than his previous stops. His performance during offseason programs and training camp will determine whether he earns a meaningful role on Atlanta’s roster for the 2025 campaign.