GAMES/STARTS (regular season, playoffs) 2012 (13/0, 1/0-Minn). Total- 13/0, 1/0.
- • Joined former collegiate teammate Harrison Smith in Vikings backfield as rookies in 2012.
- • Saw 1st extensive action on defense vs. Tennessee (10/7/12) following Harrison Smith’s ejection from the game.
OFF THE FIELD Graduated from the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame and was majoring in finance…In high school, Blanton was a first lieutenant in Butler’s JROTC program…Volunteered as a coach for a youth football team in Mint Hill, NC…Spokesperson for Butler High’s D.R.E.A.M. Team and was recognized by the Carolina Panthers as a Panthers Community Captain during one of their games for his outstanding performance in the classroom and the community...Lived in Italy from 1996-2000 as his father served in Air Force.
GAMES/STARTS (regular season, playoffs) 2012 (13/0, 1/0-Minn). Total- 13/0, 1/0.
- • Joined former collegiate teammate Harrison Smith in Vikings backfield as rookies in 2012.
- • Saw 1st extensive action on defense vs. Tennessee (10/7/12) following Harrison Smith’s ejection from the game.
OFF THE FIELD Graduated from the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame and was majoring in finance…In high school, Blanton was a first lieutenant in Butler’s JROTC program…Volunteered as a coach for a youth football team in Mint Hill, NC…Spokesperson for Butler High’s D.R.E.A.M. Team and was recognized by the Carolina Panthers as a Panthers Community Captain during one of their games for his outstanding performance in the classroom and the community...Lived in Italy from 1996-2000 as his father served in Air Force.
PRO Saw action in 13 games and Wild Card playoff game, primarily as a special teams stalwart...Played most of game at S in place of Smith after his ejection vs. Tennessee (10/7/12)...Selected #139 overall…Joins former college teammate Harrison Smith in the Vikings 2012 draft class, the 1st Notre Dame pair to be drafted by the Vikings in the same year in team history.
2012 Saw action in 13 games and the Wild Card playoff game at Green Bay (1/5/13)...Notched season-high with 5 tackles vs. Tennessee (10/7), playing the majority of the game after fellow S Harrison Smith was ejected from the game...Had season-high 2 special teams tackles at Chicago (11/25) and at St. Louis (12/16).
COLLEGE Appeared in 50 consecutive games at Notre Dame, making 26 starts…Missed only the Week 1 game as a freshman in 2008…Totaled 193 career tackles with 19 TFLs, 16 pass breakups and 8 INTs…Recorded a career-high 70 tackles as a senior in 2011…His 8 TFLs in 2011 were the most by a DB since the 1999 season…Blocked a Utah punt on 11/13/10 and returned it 8 yards for a TD, the 1st ND player to block a punt for a TD since 2008…Had 2 career TDs at Notre Dame; the 1st was a 47-yard INT return vs. Purdue on 9/27/08…Led ND with 9 tackles and 1 INT vs. Miami in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on 12/31/10…Made his way into the starting lineup for the final 4 games as a freshman.
PREP Named 1st-Team All State in 2006 and 2007 by North Carolina Associated Press and by the Charlotte Observer for his play at Butler High School in Matthews, NC…2007 Defensive Player of the Year by the Charlotte Observer…Blocked 6 kicks as a senior and added 94 tackles and 5 INTs…Named 2nd-Team All State in 2005 after posting 126 tackles, 6 INTs, 6 FFs, 6 blocked kicks and 10 PBUs…Standout in basketball and track, surpassing 21 feet in the long jump and 6’10’’ in the high jump.
