Justin Blackmon
![]() Blackmon with the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2011 | |||||||
No. 14 | |||||||
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Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Oceanside, California, U.S. | January 9, 1990||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Plainview (Ardmore, Oklahoma) | ||||||
College: | Oklahoma State (2008–2011) | ||||||
NFL draft: | 2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Justin Carl Blackmon (born January 9, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, twice earning unanimous All-American honors before being selected by the Jaguars fifth overall in the 2012 NFL draft. With Jacksonville, he was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and was suspended indefinitely for another violation later that year and has not played since. Blackmon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
Early life
[edit]Blackmon was born in Oceanside, California. He attended Plainview High School in Ardmore, Oklahoma,[1] where he was a four-sport star in football, basketball, baseball and track. In football, he earned SuperPrep All-America honors as a senior after receiving 61 passes for 1,547 yards with 14 touchdowns, rushing for 152 rushing yards with two scores and returning four interceptions for touchdowns, leading his team to a 12–1 record. In basketball, he was the conference MVP as a junior.[2]
Blackmon also lettered once in track & field. At the 2008 Oklahoma State T&F Championships, he captured the state title in the long jump with a leap of 7.01 meters (22 ft, 10 in), while also placing second in the high jump event, with a leap of 1.98 meters (6 ft, 6 in).[3] After spending the summer working on his 400-meter dash technique, he was challenged by his coach to run under 50 seconds, and he was clocked at 49.2.[4] Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Blackmon was listed as the No. 91 wide receiver prospect in the class of 2008.[5] Colorado and Missouri were among the programs seeking his signature.
College career
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Justin_Blackmon_intense_look.jpg/220px-Justin_Blackmon_intense_look.jpg)
Blackmon received an athletic scholarship to attend Oklahoma State University, where he played for coach Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State Cowboys football team from 2008 to 2011. He was redshirted as a true freshman in 2008, and quickly earned a starting position in 2009. He was named the 2010 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, the first receiver to earn the honor.[6] He was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver,[7] and was recognized as a unanimous All-American.[8] Blackmon also holds the NCAA records for most consecutive games gaining 100 yards or more and most games gaining 200 yards or more. Statistically, Blackmon caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games during the 2010 season and also added a pair of scores with a 69-yard run and a blocked punt return.[9]
Blackmon finished the 2011 regular season with 121 catches for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns. He led the Big 12 in receiving and ranked second nationally in both receptions per game and total receptions. His 15 touchdown catches led the league and represented the third-highest total in the nation. Following his 2010 sophomore season, he was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.[8] Despite the extreme defensive game plans geared specifically at stopping him, he emerged as the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver for the second consecutive season; former Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree is the only other player to win the Biletnikoff Award twice.[10] At the 2012 Fiesta Bowl, Blackmon caught 8 passes for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. After the game, he declared for the 2012 NFL draft.[11] He was also named the 2012 Fiesta Bowl offensive MVP.[12] In 2024, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[13]
College statistics
[edit]Year | Team | GP | Receiving | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rec | Yards | TDs | |||
2009 | OSU | 13 | 20 | 260 | 2 |
2010 | OSU | 12 | 111 | 1,782 | 20 |
2011 | OSU | 13 | 122 | 1,522 | 18 |
Career | 38 | 253 | 3,564 | 40 |
Source:[14]
Professional career
[edit]Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 0+7⁄8 in (1.85 m) |
207 lb (94 kg) |
32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.46 s | 1.53 s | 2.60 s | 4.38 s | 7.13 s | 35 in (0.89 m) |
10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) |
14 reps | |
All values from Oklahoma State Pro Day/Measurables from NFL Combine[15][16][17] |
Blackmon decided not to participate in any workouts at the NFL Combine, instead performing at Oklahoma State's Pro Day.[18] He was considered the best wide receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft and predicted to go early in the first round.[19][20] He has been compared to Anquan Boldin and Terrell Owens.[21] He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fifth pick in the first round of the draft.[22] Jacksonville traded up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to draft him, exchanging their number seven selection and a fourth round pick for Tampa Bay's spot.[23] Blackmon was the highest drafted player from Oklahoma State since Barry Sanders in 1989.
Blackmon scored his first career touchdown on November 4, 2012, against the Detroit Lions. On November 18, in a game against the Houston Texans, Blackmon had seven receptions for 236 yards. The 236 yards were third-most for an NFL rookie, the most since Jerry Rice as well as the second-most in a game in franchise history, trailing only 291 yards by Jimmy Smith in a September 2000 game at the Baltimore Ravens. Blackmon combined with Andre Johnson (273 yards on 14 receptions) to have the most receiving yards in a game by two players on different teams.[24][25] Blackmon finished his 2012 season with 64 receptions and 865 yards receiving, both of which led all NFL rookies. Blackmon also led all rookie receivers in first downs. His 81-yard touchdown reception against Houston was the longest pass completion to any rookie. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[26]
Legal issues and suspension
[edit]On June 3, 2012, Blackmon was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol in Stillwater, Oklahoma and was released from custody later that day.[27] On April 20, 2013, Blackmon received a four-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.[28] In July, he underwent groin surgery. The Jaguars placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in which he missed training camp and the start of the preseason. Blackmon returned to the active roster and practiced on August 12, however he missed the first four games of the regular season due to his suspension. In his first game back, he caught 5 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. In his next game, against the Denver Broncos, he recorded 14 catches for 190 yards.[29] On November 1, during the Jaguars' bye week, he was suspended indefinitely without pay for again violating the NFL's Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.[30] He would have been eligible to apply for reinstatement prior to the 2014 season.
On May 2, 2014, Jaguars general manager David Caldwell announced that it was unlikely that Blackmon would join the team for the 2014 season. Blackmon was arrested following a traffic stop on July 23, 2014, in Edmond, Oklahoma for possession of marijuana.[31] On October 1, 2014, Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said Blackmon had voluntarily checked into a 90-day program, adding that he had completed nearly half of his commitment, was doing very well and learning a lot.[32] On May 10, 2015, Blackmon was reportedly denied reinstatement by the NFL, effectively ending his 2015 season.[33] In August 2015, Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said that the Jaguars did not expect Blackmon to play for them again, adding that the team had not heard from him for some time.[34][35] That same month Blackmon was added to the Toronto Argonauts' "confidential" negotiating list before the NFL disallowed it due to his suspension.[36]
On December 19, 2015, Blackmon was arrested for DUI in his hometown of Ardmore, Oklahoma.[37] He pleaded guilty to DUI, and in August 2016 was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended pending the completion of one year of probation. He was also fined $1,000 and ordered to undergo 100 hours of community service. If he ever decided to play again, he would have to go through a two-month vetting process after applying for reinstatement. Despite this, Caldwell said at the time of Blackmon's arrest that the Jaguars had no intention of releasing him.[38] Blackmon reportedly completed the terms of his probation in August 2017.[39]
Professional statistics
[edit]Season | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
2012 | 16 | 14 | 64 | 865 | 13.5 | 81 | 5 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2013 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 415 | 14.3 | 67 | 1 | 1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | -- | -- |
Career | 20 | 18 | 93 | 1,280 | 13.8 | 81 | 6 | 3 | 22 | 7.3 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
See also
[edit]- List of NCAA major college football yearly receiving leaders
- List of NCAA Division I FBS career receiving touchdowns leaders
References
[edit]- ^ Blackmon was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in November 2013 and has remained on the Jaguars' reserve/suspended list despite not being officially listed on their roster anymore.
- ^ Tramel, Jimmie (December 23, 2010). "OSU's Justin Blackmon: The pride of Plainview". Tulsa World. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon". Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
- ^ "Justin Blackmon". Athletic.net.
- ^ "ALL-USA - USA Today High School Sports". www.usatodayhss.com.
- ^ "Wide receivers 2008". Rivals.com. January 16, 2008.
- ^ Chatmon, Brandon (December 1, 2010). "OSU's Justin Blackmon makes history as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year". The Oklahoman.
- ^ Chatmon, Brandon (December 10, 2010). "OSU's Justin Blackmon, Dan Bailey win national awards". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
- ^ a b 2011 NCAA Football Records Book, Award Winners, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 12 (2011). Retrieved June 30, 2012.
- ^ "Blackmon Wins Biletnikoff Award". okstate.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
- ^ "Blackmon Earns Unanimous All-America Status". okstate.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
- ^ "Blackmon: 'Time to go,' apply for entry into 2012 NFL Draft". NFL.com. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "Arizona - FOX Sports". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013.
- ^ White, Ivan (January 8, 2024). "Oklahoma State Legend Justin Blackmon to be Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame". Sports Illustrated Oklahoma State Cowboys News, Analysis and More. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ "Justin Blackmon College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "*Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR, 2012 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football".
- ^ "Justin Blackmon NFL Combine 2012". YouTube.
- ^ <=https://www.jaguars.com/video/jaguars-pick-justin-blackmon-no-5-7243270
- ^ Thomas, Jim (March 10, 2012). "Blackmon impresses in 40-yard dash at pro day". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "NFL Draft - 2013 WR Draft Prospects". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ^ Banks, Don (March 23, 2012). "2012 NFL Mock Draft has Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin going in first two picks". SI.com.
- ^ Bunting, Wes (March 10, 2012). "Is Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon now a top 5 pick?". National Football Post. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012.
- ^ "Jaguars trade up, select Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon with 5th pick in NFL draft". The Washington Post. Associated Press. April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jaguars, Texans put up big numbers on Sunday". actionnewsjax.com. November 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ Kuharsky, Paul (November 18, 2012). "Wrap-up: Texans 43, Jaguars 37 (OT)". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ "2012 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ "Justin Blackmon arrested for DUI". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ "Blackmon suspension "disappointing", Caldwell says". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ "Justin Blackmon - Jacksonville Jaguars - 2013 Player Profile". Rotoworld.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (November 1, 2013). "Jaguars' Justin Blackmon suspended, will miss season". NFL.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (July 24, 2014). "Justin Blackmon arrested for marijuana possession". NFL.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Suspended Jags WR Blackmon in treatment". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ "Report: Justin Blackmon denied NFL reinstatement". Tulsa World. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (August 4, 2015). "Jags GM: Banned Blackmon unlikely to return". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ "Jags still waiting for Blackmon". Tulsa World. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- ^ Day, Ryan (September 2, 2015). "Jaguars not likely to let Blackmon play in CFL". Big Cat Country. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (December 21, 2015). "Justin Blackmon arrested in Oklahoma, charged with DUI". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (August 24, 2016). "Ex-Jags WR Justin Blackmon gets suspended sentence in DUI case". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Goldberg, Rob (August 4, 2017). "Justin Blackmon Reportedly off Probation After Avoiding Arrest for 1 Year". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Jacksonville Jaguars bio
- Oklahoma State Cowboys bio
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · ESPN · CBS Sports · Yahoo! Sports · SI.com · Pro Football Reference · Rotoworld
- 1990 births
- Living people
- All-American college football players
- American football wide receivers
- Oklahoma State Cowboys football players
- Jacksonville Jaguars draft picks
- Jacksonville Jaguars players
- Players of American football from Oceanside, California
- People from Ardmore, Oklahoma
- College Football Hall of Fame inductees