INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon was on the receiving end of 252 passes which he turned into 3,564 yards and 40 touchdowns during his three seasons with the Cowboys.
Over that time, Blackmon heard plenty of comparisons to current and former NFL players. Questions about comparisons continued during Blackmon’s interview session Friday afternoon at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Blackmon was asked specifically about the comparison to Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.
“I think it’s somewhat fair,” Blackmon assessed. “I wouldn’t compare it, but he’s a big, physical guy and that’s how I like to play. I’m not as big as him, so I don’t know why people would compare me to that, but I try to be as physical as I can be.”
When asked who he would compare himself to, Blackmon said Terrell Owens.
“I’d like to look to sort of be like him because his work ethic was real good and I like to try and work as hard as I can,” Blackmon said. “The way he is as a player, he never goes down with one person and that’s how I try to go out there and play. I liked T.O. and when I was in high school, it was the Larry Fitzgeralds. When I was little, it was Roy Williams from Texas and the Limas Sweeds coming up, players like that.”
Blackmon did admit that Owens was more polished as a wide receiver than he currently is.
“I know I’ve got a lot to work on with route-running, so I wouldn’t say I’m up there in route-running with anyone,” Blackmon said. “I’ve got some work to do and I’m ready to do it. I’m very confident. I know I’ve got a lot to work on and I’m going to continue to work on that and I know with hard work, I can be successful in this league.”
Blackmon may or may not display his route-running when the wide receivers hold on-field drills this weekend. He suffered an injury while training for the Combine and elected not to run the 40-yard dash or participate in any drill requiring downfield work.
“My Pro Day is next week and I’ll be running then,” Blackmon said. “I had a hamstring injury last week and it’s a little tender. I didn’t want to risk and ruin my chance at making Pro Day.”
REMEMBERING OK STATE
When asked what he remembered most about his career at Oklahoma State, Blackmon quickly responded by saying the 12-1 season of 2011 and being Fiesta Bowl champions. In addition to the memories, Blackmon will take several lessons with him to the NFL.
“They taught me how to work when no one’s watching, how to keep pushing when I’m tired, when I’m hurt,” Blackmon said. “They taught me how to be a better person off the field, as well as on the field.”
REPORTING FOR DUTY
Like Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Blackmon grew up in a military family. While Blackmon was in elementary school, his father was serving in Kuwait.
“I was in the fifth or sixth grade, so 12, 13 (years old),” Blackmon said. “It was rough, but coming into a military home, I lived on base for 10 years, so I knew that was his job. That was something he had to do. It’s something he never complained about. He knew that was what he had to do, so as a family, we could do nothing but pray and wait for him to come back.”
Blackmon knew he had to have everything done when his father asked. It was a lesson that he said took no time to learn.
“Oh, it was done,” Blackmon said. “I think it was right when I came out the womb.”
