Blacklock lets tears of joy flow after signing
It was an emotional and lucrative day for Texans rookie defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.
The team’s top draft pick, a second-round selection from TCU, signed a four-year, $7.95 million contract that includes $4.92 million guaranteed, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
The Texans also signed fourthround cornerback John Reid and fifth-round wide receiver Isaiah Coulter on Tuesday, wrapping up their entire rookie draft class.
For Blacklock, a former Elkins High School standout, signing his first NFL contract represented a significant milestone .
“I feel pretty good, I’ve been crying all morning, I’m not gonna lie to you,” Blacklock said. “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. It’s just the beginning. I’m beyond blessed. I’m excited.
“Grown men do cry. 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.”
Blacklock is expected to compete for immediate playing time.
“Ross Blacklock, he was a guy that from a measurable standpoint had all the attributes that you’re looking for,” Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said after the draft. “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.”
Meanwhile, Reid signed a fouryear, $3.789 million contract.
Reid ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the NFL scouting combine with a 36½-inch vertical leap. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times.
Reid recorded 37 tackles, one sack and two interceptions last season. Two years ago, he had 24 tackles and two interceptions.
Reid has the frame to play nickel but also could line up outside.
“I think he can do both,” coach Bill O’Brien said after the draft. “I think he’s got good quickness; he’s got good toughness. When I was at Penn State, he was a sophomore in high school and came to our camp. I think we offered him a scholarship right there.
“Really smart guy. Comes from a great family. That was another guy that we felt really good about that we had targeted and we were really hoping would be there.”
Drafted 71st overall, Coulter ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL scouting combine with a 36-inch vertical leap and a 7.28 three-cone drill.
Coulter was a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection last season after catching 72 passes for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns As a sophomore, he had 42 catches for 604 yards and three touchdowns.
“NFL teams saw Isaiah popping up on the film and they asked a bunch of questions about him a year ago, and, with him being an underclassman, they said they’d be back for him next year,” Rhode Island receivers coach Donovan Varner said in a telephone interview. “I knew he was an NFL-caliber player.