Houston flavor expected for first round
Five former area high school standouts could hear their names called and surpass the 1990 class mark of four
Ross Blacklock recalls how driven Kenneth Murray was as a freshman during hard-hitting Elkins football practices, matching older players’ energy and intensity.
A year older than Murray, Blacklock was a running back, tight end and defensive end who had his share of collisions with the eventual Oklahoma All American middle linebacker. “I can’t call him little bro anymore,” said Blacklock, who grew into a 6-foot-3, 290-pound All-Big 12 defensive tackle at Texas Christian. “He’s on the same level now.”
Now, Blacklock, Murray, Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (Foster), LSU pass rusher K’ Lavon Chaisson (North Shore) and Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones (Bush) are poised to make history Thursday during the NFL draft.
When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the first-round picks, he’s expected to call all five of the ex-Houston high school football standouts. The Houston region hasn’t had more than four firstround draft picks on a single year.
Back in 1990, four players went in the first round: Dickinson and UH quarterback Andre Ware (Bengals, seventh), La Marque and Baylor outside linebacker James Francis (Bengals, 12th), Wharton and UH outside linebacker Lamar Lathon (Oilers, 15th) and Kashmere and Georgia running back Rodney Hampton (Giants, 24th).
“In Houston, we breed athletes,” Blacklock said. “They’re everywhere. Some guys, maybe life didn’t go their way and they didn’t get the chance to make it that we did. This is definitely a year for the books.”
An All-American wide receiver known for his acrobatic catches and ability to elude defenders after the catch, Lamb has drawn comparisons to former Texans All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
He’s vying with Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy to be the first wide receiver drafted. Lamb has been projected as high as the Jets’ No. 11 overall pick and also frequently linked to the Raiders at No. 12 overall.
“Very special player; he reminds me a ton of Hop,” an NFL general manager said. “This guy is going to give defenses fits in the NFL.”
Chaisson is the secondhighest ranked Houston prospect. He’s also been tied to the Jets, Falcons, Cowboys, Raiders and Jaguars.
“On the football field with my athletic ability and football IQ, it’s a scary sight,” Chaisson said. “My ceiling can only get higher.”
Popular destinations for Murray include Las Vegas as well as the Broncos, Saints and Ravens.
“His sideline-to-sideline speed is like no other,” said Tim Boutte, Murray’s longtime trainer and family friend. “It’s like putting Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis together, and you’ve got Kenneth Murray.”
Blacklock has been mentioned as a potential selection for the Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks, Titans and Ravens. He worked out for the hometown Texans before the NFL canceled visits to team facilities and private workouts.
In his final college season, Jones blossomed. He had a 93.2 Pro Football Focus grade as the highestrated offensive lineman from a non-Power 5 school and was the top-ranked pass blocker among all tackles. He allowed just one sack.
Jones conducted video conferences with the Texans, who don’t pick until 40th overall in the second round, as well as the Patriots, 49ers, Colts, Eagles, Chargers, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Bears, Ravens, Vikings, Jets and Packers.
Jones boosted his stock with his performance at the Senior Bowl. He’s looking to follow former Coogs star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the Bills’ ninth overall last year, as a first-round pick. “I can’t wait to join Ed in the league,” Jones said.
Several other Houstonarea players are projected to go in the second and third rounds. That includes LSU safety Grant Delpit, who attended Lamar before transferring to IMG Academy, Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (The Woodlands), Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (Channelview), Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks (Stratford) and Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (Westside).
“The city of Houston and the whole area has a ton of great athletes,” Hurts said. “Texas high school football is dang serious. It doesn’t get any better than Texas. Everyone is about to see that during the draft.”