Ross Blacklock, a defensive tackle at Texas Christian University, was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) per a Monday press release.
The 6-foot-4 and 326-pound Fort Bend Elkins High School alum started all 14 games for the Horned Frogs this season, totaling 27 tackles — including 6 1/2 for loss — and a pair sacks. He was a key part of a Big 12 Conference No. 19 nationally ranked defense (that allowed opposing offenses to 331.4 yards per game. Six of those 14 contests came against top-20 offenses.
Blacklock was instrumental in TCU allowing just 103.9 yards per game rushing, the fifth-best mark in the nation. TCU was also second in the country in run defense improvement (83.9 yards) from the previous season.
Ross Blacklock was an influential part of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, showing off the speed and strength that earned him honors Monday. Photo courtesy Blacklock Family
The Missouri City redshirt freshman that chose TCU over Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M will be one of six returning defensive starters for in 2018. Despite the loss of Mat Boesen, Travin Howard, Nick Orr, and Anthony Texada, Blacklock will join a group that should return a host of Texas-bred talent that could propel the Horned Frog defense.
Sophomore cornerback Jeff Gladney (New Boston) and junior linebackers Arico Evans (Dallas) and Ty Summers (San Antonio), defensive end Ben Bangou (McKinney) and safety Niko Small (Arlington) are part of the group that could pace TCU to another Big 12 title game — and possibly a National Championship.
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Marcus Matthews-Marion is the managing editor of TexasHSFootball, covering prep football throughout the Lone Star State. Follow him on Twitter, @TheMJMatthews, and read more of his content here.
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