Darryl Blackstock

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Outside Linebacker
Darryl Blackstock

College: Virginia
Year: Junior
Height: 6’3"
Weight: 230
Birthday: May 30, 1983

Virginia coach Al Groh knows linebackers who know how to get quarterbacks. The former New York Jets head man coached several Pro Bowlers in his tenure as an NFL linebacker coach and defensive coordinator, including Lawrence Taylor. Groh likes what he has in junior Darryl Blackstock: "He’s a bloodhound. He chases ’em. He’s got that mentality. He’s got a high motor."

"Sackstock" came to Virginia after recording 22 sacks in one post-high school season as a prep school defensive end. The Cavaliers moved him to outside linebacker in their Virginia’s 3-4 defense and he racked up ten sacks and 14 tackles-for-loss, earning some national defensive freshman of the year honors.

Blackstock has yet to produce a monster statistical season, and in fact his sack numbers declined as a sophomore. Groh, who has been working with the linebacker to become more than a one-dimensional rush specialist, contends that Blackstock was a better all-around player in 2003 than he was the year before. The extra “respect” that he receives from opposing coaches when they plan their blocking schemes around him is also a factor.

Blackstock’s best fit in the Texans’ defense would be at the right outside linebacker spot, as it would best position him to use his blazing speed to run down quarterbacks from the blindside. This position would also allow him to play in space more often than against a tight end.

(profile written by Warren DeLuca)

Darryl Blackstock’s 2003 Stats G TCK TFL SKS FF FR 13 85 14.5 6.0 0 2 Darryl Blackstock Darryl Blackstock Home

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