Justin Balock Foundation Atlanta Falcons Official website Texaslonghorns_website

About Justin

Professional Career

Justin Blalock is entering his third year starting as left guard with the Atlanta Falcons. He is a native of Plano, Texas.

In 2007, as a rookie, Justin started 14 games at the left guard position. He started his first career NFL game at Minnesota (9/9) and helped the offense record 265 total yards.

He was a member of an offensive line that assisted the offense to produce a season-442 total yards vs. Carolina on 9/23. Cleared running lanes for a ground attack that combined for 112 total rushing yards vs. Indianapolis (11/22) including RB Warrick Dunn eclipsing the 10,000 career rushing yard mark.

In 2008, Justin, started all 16 games at guard and helped the Falcons rank second in the NFL in rushing average per game (152.7). He was part of an offensive line that set a franchise record allowing only 17 sacks over the course of the season. He started on an offensive line that paved the way for a franchise single-game high 318 rushing yards vs. Detroit (9/7), including a career and franchise-high 220 rushing yards by RB Michael Turner.

Justin started at left guard for an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 33 pass attempts at New Orleans (12/7).

Justin experienced an exciting accomplishment against Minnesota, December 21, 2008 when he recovered a Matt Ryan fumble in the end zone and became the first Falcons offensive lineman to record a touchdown since 1996 (Robie Tobeck). That touchdown helped the Falcons win the game and helped send them to the playoffs.

He blocked for a Falcons rushing attack, which totaled 263 yards against St. Louis (12/28), and opened holes for RB Michael Turner to rush for 42 yards and one touchdown against Arizona (1/3/09) in a NFC Wild Card match-up.

College Years

Justin started a record 51 consecutive games at The University of Texas. He played three years at Right Tackle, but due to a season-ending injury of the Right Guard during the Texas-Oklahoma game in 2006, Justin moved in to Right Guard, the position he played through the season.

He was named a Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy finalist in 2006...a unanimous first team All-America selection...a three-time first team All-Big 12 pick...named inaugural Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year...named a third team All-American by The Associated Press in 2005...named first-team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News in 2003. He spent the 2002 season gaining experience as a reserve guard while redshirting.

Justin was part of an offensive line that paved the way for 289 yards rushing and 556 yards of total offense in Texas’ 41-38 victory over USC for the National Championship in January 2006.

Justin was a member of UT’s Academic Director’s Honor Roll in Fall 2004 and 2005. He graduated in December 2006 with a degree in youth and community studies and a minor in business.

High School

Justin attended Plano East Senior High School in Plano, TX. He was coached by Scott Phillips. A three-year starter at offensive guard, Justin earned all-state honors in both football and track & field. He earned first-team All-America honors from USA Today as a senior. He was also a first-team all state (5A), all-area, and all-district selection. Justin was rated as the nation’s 15th best high school prospect by The Sporting News, posting 134 pancakes. He did not allow a sack and opened holes for an offense that averaged nearly 300 rushing yards per game in 2001. His top game of the season was a 21-pancake performance against Plano Senior High School. Justin also played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Game.

Justin threw the shot put and discus for the track & field team. He registered the third-best throw (63-1/2) in the state as a senior (of all classes) in his final District track meet.

Justin was one of five finalists for the 2002 Watkins Award, which is presented to the nation’s top African-American high school scholar athlete.

 
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