Ross Blacklock Bio
Ross Blacklock (born July 9, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs and has spent his professional career with multiple National Football League franchises since entering the league in 2020. A former second-round draft pick, Blacklock is recognized for his run-stopping ability along the interior of the defensive line.
After beginning his career with the Houston Texans, Blacklock moved through several organizations before joining the New York Giants. He has worked to establish himself as a rotational defensive lineman in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Ross Blacklock was born on July 9, 1998, in Missouri City, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in the same Houston-area community where he would later become a local high school football star. His father, Jimmy Blacklock, is a former Harlem Globetrotters player who later transitioned into coaching with the organization.
Blacklock attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, where he played for the Knights football program. As a senior, he earned recognition as one of the top defensive line prospects in the state and was selected to participate in the 2016 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. During the live broadcast of that game, Blacklock verbally committed to play college football at Texas Christian University.
Path to Professional Football
Blacklock arrived at TCU and redshirted during his first year on campus in Fort Worth. As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he stepped into a starting role and quickly made an impact. That season, he helped lead the Horned Frogs to the program’s first-ever Big 12 Championship Game appearance and a victory in the 2017 Alamo Bowl over Stanford. His standout play earned him Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year recognition and Freshman All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America.
In August 2018, an injury forced Blacklock to miss his entire sophomore season. After roughly nine months of rehabilitation, doctors cleared him in time for the 2019 junior season, in which he was named first-team All-Big 12. Following that campaign, Blacklock declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, choosing to forgo his senior year at TCU.
Ross Blacklock Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Ross Blacklock was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 40th overall pick by the Houston Texans. That selection was the Texans’ first choice in the draft, originally acquired in the trade that sent DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for running back David Johnson. Blacklock entered the league with high expectations as a young interior defender.
His rookie season proved difficult. In Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, Blacklock was ejected late in the fourth quarter after throwing a punch. He finished his first year with 14 total tackles, including one tackle for loss, and recorded no sacks. Across his time in Houston, Blacklock continued to develop but did not cement a long-term role with the franchise.
Houston Texans Era (2020–2021)
During his Texans tenure, Blacklock served primarily as a rotational defensive tackle working to find his footing at the professional level. He appeared in games as both an interior pass rusher and a run defender, learning behind more experienced linemen. By the end of the 2021 season, the Texans opted to move on, and Blacklock was traded.
Minnesota Vikings (2022)
On August 30, 2022, Blacklock was traded to the Minnesota Vikings along with a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a sixth-round selection. He spent the 2022 season with the Vikings organization, adding depth to their defensive line rotation. Blacklock was waived by Minnesota on August 29, 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts (2023)
On September 4, 2023, Blacklock signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He remained there until his release on October 23, 2023. Shortly after, on October 24, 2023, he joined the Indianapolis Colts practice squad before being released a few days later on October 30.
Tennessee Titans (2023)
On November 15, 2023, Blacklock was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad. After a brief stint on that unit, he was elevated to the active roster on December 30, 2023, providing depth along the Titans defensive front late in the season.
New York Giants Era (2024–2025)
On December 10, 2024, Blacklock signed with the New York Giants practice squad. He later signed a reserve/future contract with the organization on January 6, 2025, securing his place with the team into the next league year. On April 15, 2025, Blacklock was released by the Giants.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive lineman, Blacklock has been valued for his quick first step, strong hands, and ability to occupy blockers in the run game. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to play multiple positions along the interior, and he has been deployed in rotation to spell starters and generate pressure up the middle.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Blacklock’s most notable career moments was his selection as a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and his role in TCU’s historic 2017 Big 12 Championship Game run. His ejection during his 2020 rookie game against Baltimore also marked an early, memorable flashpoint in his professional tenure.
Ross Blacklock Career Highlights
Ross Blacklock has compiled a journeyman resume across multiple NFL franchises while continuing to contribute on practice squads and active rosters. His achievements include postseason college honors and a second-round draft selection.
College Honors
At TCU, Blacklock was a Freshman All-American in 2017 and was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year that same season. Following his junior campaign in 2019, he earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition before declaring for the NFL Draft.
Other Performances
Blacklock’s professional path has been defined by perseverance, as he has moved between practice squads and active rosters across several franchises. Each stop has provided an opportunity to refine his craft as an interior defensive lineman.
Ross Blacklock Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Ross Blacklock is the son of Jimmy Blacklock. His father played for and later served as a coach for the Harlem Globetrotters, giving Ross an early connection to high-level athletics and competition.
Personal Life
Blacklock grew up in Missouri City, Texas, and has continued to build his professional football career in the years following his college career at TCU.
2025 Season Outlook
Ross Blacklock entered 2025 as a free agent after being released by the New York Giants on April 15, 2025. The defensive end remains available to sign with NFL organizations in need of interior line depth.
Having spent time on multiple practice squads across the league, Blacklock’s 2025 outlook depends on securing a roster or practice squad opportunity with a franchise. His prior experience as a second-round pick and his Big 12 pedigree could help him attract interest from teams seeking veteran depth.
If he signs with a team, Blacklock will look to translate his practice squad experience into a more consistent rotational role, leveraging his size, technique, and familiarity with multiple defensive schemes built across his previous stops.