Reed Blankenship

Last updated

Reed Blankenship
Reed Blankenship.png
Blankenship in 2022
No. 32 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1999-03-02) March 2, 1999 (age 25)
Athens, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school: West Limestone
(Lester, Alabama)
College: Middle Tennessee (2017–2021)
Undrafted: 2022
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-C-USA (2021)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 2, 2024
Total tackles:165
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:14
Interceptions:5
Player stats at PFR

Reed Scott Blankenship (born March 2, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Blankenship was born on March 2, 1999, and grew up in Athens, Alabama. He attended West Limestone High School and played football and basketball. He was an all-state, all-region, all-county and all-area selection in football and earned the Player of the Year award in 2016. He served as the team's captain in two seasons and finished his career with 3,192 rushing yards, 1,004 yards receiving, 1,056 yards passing and 46 total touchdowns. [1]

After graduating from high school, Blankenship received scholarship offers from Middle Tennessee, Alabama A&M, Marist, Minnesota, Southern Miss, Georgia State, Tulane, Troy, Samford, Arkansas State, Western Carolina, Arkansas Tech, Mercer, UT Martin, and Central Arkansas. [2]

College career

Blankenship accepted the offer from Middle Tennessee and played in 13 games, nine as a starter, in his true freshman season (2017). He placed fourth on the team with 68 tackles and also made a sack and two interceptions, earning honorable mention all-conference and C-USA All-Freshman honors. [1]

As a sophomore in 2018, Blankenship appeared in 13 games and started 12, making a team-leading and career-high 107 tackles along with four interceptions and seven passes defended. His four interceptions ranked 16th in the nation. Against Old Dominion on October 27, he made a sack, 17 tackles, 3 for loss and returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown, earning the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week award and conference defensive player of the week honors. His interception return ranked number two on ESPN's top plays of the day list. At the end of the season, Blankenship was named first-team all-conference. [1]

As a junior in 2019, Blankenship played in seven games before suffering a season-ending leg injury. A team captain, he compiled 58 tackles (fourth place on the team), two interceptions, three passes defended and a forced fumble before the injury. He also blocked two kicks, placing him first in the nation. Despite missing half the season, Blankenship was named second-team all-conference at the end of the year. [1]

In 2020, Blankenship appeared in and started all nine games and made a team-leading 76 tackles. He was part of the Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award watchlists. [1] He was projected a mid-round pick for the 2021 NFL draft, but he decided to return for one more season at Middle Tennessee. [3]

In 2021, as a fifth-year senior, Blankenship started all 13 games and was the school's leading tackler with 110 stops. He made three fumble recoveries which ranked third in the nation, and also placed eighth nationally in solo tackles per game with 5.8. He played 1,030 snaps which was more than any other player on the team. Against Marshall, Blankenship returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown and made a forced fumble, two recoveries and seven stops, being named the conference defensive player of the week for his efforts. Against Charlotte, he made 13 tackles and set the all-time Middle Tennessee tackles record. He was named a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award on October 6. At the end of the year, he was named first-team all-conference, C-USA all-academic, the conference Spirit Service Award winner, the Middle Tennessee Defensive Ironman of the Year and a selection to the East–West Shrine Bowl. [1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+34 in
(1.85 m)
203 lb
(92 kg)
31+58 in
(0.80 m)
9+38 in
(0.24 m)
4.55 s1.50 s2.57 s4.22 s7.09 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
15 reps
All values from Pro Day [4]
Blankenship records his first career interception in 2022 Reed Blankenship Interception.png
Blankenship records his first career interception in 2022

After going unselected in the 2022 NFL draft, Blankenship was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. [5] He was one of three 2022 undrafted players to make the Eagles' final roster, along with Josh Sills and Josh Jobe. [6] He made his NFL debut in week five against the Arizona Cardinals, recording two tackles in the 20–17 win. [7] After being mostly a special teams player, Blankenship saw his first significant playing time on defense against the Green Bay Packers in week twelve, after subbing in for the injured C. J. Gardner-Johnson. [8] In the game, he made his first career interception, off of Aaron Rodgers, and led the team in tackles with six. [9]

He was named the Eagles' starting free safety ahead of the 2023 season, following Gardner-Johnson's departure in free agency. [10] In the 2023 season, he had 113 total tackles (79 solo), three intercepetions, 11 passes defended, and one fumble recovery. [11]

On April 1, 2024, Blankenship signed a one–year contract extension with the Eagles. [12]

On September 6, 2024, in a week one matchup against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Blankenship picked off quarterback Jordan Love in the 3rd Quarter.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1973)

Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr., nicknamed "Weapon X", is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. In his last three seasons, he played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Babin</span> American football player (born 1980)

Jason Thomas Babin is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Western Michigan, where he was twice recognized as the conference defensive player of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Gocong</span> American football player (born 1983)

Christopher Andrew Gocong is a former American football linebacker who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football at FCS Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortland Finnegan</span> American football player (born 1984)

Cortland Temujin Finnegan is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Samford Bulldogs, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL draft. Finnegan was also a member of the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. He was a Pro Bowler in 2008.

Ezekiel Turner is an American professional football linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies as a defensive back and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL draft. Turner was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as a special teamer in the 2018 NFL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hicks (American football)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jordan Hicks is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Harris (safety)</span> American football player (born 1991)

Anthony Harris is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, and was signed by the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played his first six seasons with Minnesota, and was the NFL interceptions co-leader in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adoree' Jackson</span> American football player (born 1995)

Adoree' K. Jackson is an American professional football cornerback and return specialist for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Jim Thorpe Award and the Jet Award during his junior season in 2016. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Jackson spent four seasons with the Titans before signing with the Giants in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Singleton (linebacker)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Alex Reed Singleton is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Montana State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Calgary Stampeders, and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Edwards</span> American football player (born 1996)

T. J. Edwards is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Byard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Kevin Leon Byard III is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Byard was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2017, his second season in the NFL, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and the first-team All-Pro and was the co-leader for most interceptions throughout the season. Additionally, he led the NFL in takeaways with 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chidobe Awuzie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Chidobe Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayon Brown</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jayon Lee Brown is an American football middle linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, after playing college football at UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaquille Leonard</span> American football player (born 1995)

Darius Shaquille Leonard is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the South Carolina State Bulldogs and was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Reaves</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jeremy Antoine Reaves is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Alabama Jaguars, where he was named the 2017 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Reeder</span> American football player (born 1994)

Troy Daniel Reeder is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State and Delaware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Wilson</span> American football player (born 1996)

Logan Wilson is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wyoming and was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JaCoby Stevens</span> American football player (born 1998)

JaCoby Stevens is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football at LSU, where he is now a recruiting specialist.

Darrell Megail Baker Jr. is a Panamanian-American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Panama City, he grew up in Hephzibah, Georgia, and played college football for the Georgia Southern Eagles. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022.

Johnny Christian Buchanan is an American football linebacker for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Delaware.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Reed Blankenship". Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  2. Elwell, David (August 2, 2016). "Colleges discover West Limestone football star Reed Blankenship". Decatur Daily. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  3. Gallagher, Michael (October 7, 2021). "Blankenship's breakout 2021 season a result of knowing his own limitations". Nashville Post . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  4. "2022 Draft Scout Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  5. Joyce, Cecil (April 30, 2022). "MTSU's Reed Blankenship signs with Philadelphia Eagles, DQ Thomas signs with New York Jets". Daily News Journal . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  6. Kempski, Jimmy (August 30, 2022). "Analysis of the Eagles' initial 2022 53-man roster". PhillyVoice . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  7. "Reed Blankenship Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  8. Tolentino, Josh (November 28, 2022). "Eagles' Reed Blankenship picks off Aaron Rodgers, making the improbable play that his father foretold". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  9. Knox, Geoffrey (November 28, 2022). "Eagles rookie Reed Blankenship has a night to remember versus Packers". Inside The Iggles. FanSided . Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  10. Zangaro, Dave (September 7, 2023). "How Blankenship went from undrafted afterthought to full-time starter". NBC Sports Philadelphia. NBC . Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  11. "Reed Blankenship 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. Simmons, Myles (April 1, 2024). "Eagles sign S Reed Blankenship to one-year extension". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 10, 2024.