'14 TX DE Grant Blankenship (Oklahoma Transfer)

[Booslum31]

Let's put Troy's career in perspective. We brought him in from Cali and he played three years. Given our recent history with Cali kids, I'd say that's a win.

Freshman year he was "all in" enough to learn the defense, play meaningful reps, and I believe he started a game or two.

Sophomore year he was "all in" enough to change positions b/c the coaches wanted him to back up an all american tight end. We heard no bitching or whining - the kid switched, learned the position within a year and played meaningful minutes. Contributes as a blocking tight end, one of the most selfless positions on the field.

His Junior year he absolutely destroyed everyone in front of him. I can't say I watched him every rep, but I can say I never saw him take a play off. Ever.

Let's be honest, everyone on the two deep has god given physical attributes and athleticism. Troy is no different. I hope we're cursed enough to get 85 players just like Troy.

And he gave good speeches at the pep rally's. :0

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Very good post. I dont understand the Niklas critics here. The guy was a stud. Great measurables and a great attitude. Oh yea, and he was a very talented football player. I'll take 85 of those.

I am not intending to be a critic. And I think I am the only one. But what I have recently heard gives me pause. Someone has already mentioned the rumors by name and their post has been deleted. Life is simple for me. If you have enough energy for other things wall to wall, you can put even more in football.

 

[irishog77]

What's the latest on Grant's hair?

 

[Irish#1]

What's the latest on Grant's hair?

Who? Isn't this Troy's thread?

 

[GBdomer]

What if an $EC player tweeted that?

 

[PANDFAN]

What if an $EC player tweeted that?

would assume it's a joke because he never attended high school?

 

[Luckylucci]

would assume it's a joke because he never attended high school?

Quality.

 

[GBdomer]

would assume it's a joke because he never attended high school?

I was hoping this would be the answer.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Irish A-to-Z: Grant Blankenship | Inside the Irish

Article mentions him showing up for camp at 6'6" 280. He was listed as 6'5" 235 when profile was created.

The article says 280 is an ideal weight for a 3-4 DE, but I always thought it was more in the 300 lb range (at least in the NFL). Both Tuitt and Kapp played at over 300. Hell, perhaps the best true 2-gapping 3-4 DE in the NFL is Mohammed Wilkerson, and he's 315 (J.J Watt mostly 1-gaps).

 

[IRISHMAN]

The article says 280 is an ideal weight for a 3-4 DE, but I always thought it was more in the 300 lb range (at least in the NFL). Both Tuitt and Kapp played at over 300. Hell, perhaps the best true 2-gapping 3-4 DE in the NFL is Mohammed Wilkerson, and he's 315 (J.J Watt mostly 1-gaps).

based on blankenships HS film I always thought he was best suited at DE in a 4-3 where he could use his speed, athletic ability and length to get after the QB.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

based on blankenships HS film I always thought he was best suited at DE in a 4-3 where he could use his speed, athletic ability and length to get after the QB.

Oh definitely, and I think at that weight he'd do very well on the strong side as well. At 280 he'd probably be an adequate 3-4 DE on the college level, just not prototypical.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Let's put Troy's career in perspective. We brought him in from Cali and he played three years. Given our recent history with Cali kids, I'd say that's a win.

Freshman year he was "all in" enough to learn the defense, play meaningful reps, and I believe he started a game or two.

Sophomore year he was "all in" enough to change positions b/c the coaches wanted him to back up an all american tight end. We heard no bitching or whining - the kid switched, learned the position within a year and played meaningful minutes. Contributes as a blocking tight end, one of the most selfless positions on the field.

His Junior year he absolutely destroyed everyone in front of him. I can't say I watched him every rep, but I can say I never saw him take a play off. Ever.

Let's be honest, everyone on the two deep has god given physical attributes and athleticism. Troy is no different. I hope we're cursed enough to get 85 players just like Troy.

Solid player with bright future, but go watch the Stanford and Pitt games. Wasnt pretty.

 

[dublinirish]

Solid player with bright future, but go watch the Stanford and Pitt games. Wasnt pretty.

Troy always gets a hard time over the stanford game. he was asked to pass block trent murphy and ben gardner on seperate occasions. that's on the OC, not him

 

[Domina Nostra]

based on blankenships HS film I always thought he was best suited at DE in a 4-3 where he could use his speed, athletic ability and length to get after the QB.

Absolutely! I feel like the conversation is getting a little generic.

- 3-4 DEs generally need to play around 300 lbs, which means lots of power, but less speed.
- Grant was recruited when we were playing 3-4 and is reportedly planning on coming in a 280,
- CONCLUSION: Grant has a lot of power, but less speed. He is a tweener who is not well-suited for the 4-3.

But Grant is not 280 yet and never played at 280. He played around 235-245, I think. More importantly, he played fast and explosive. The original question was whether he was a CAT or DE. He was a tweener in the 3-4, he is NOT a tweener in as a DE in the 4-3.

The wrinkle here is that at the rate he is growing, he may be able to carry 300 lbs and still play explosively. If that's the case, by all means move him inside!!! DTs like that are hard to find.

But if it turns out he can maintain a lot more speed at 260-275, then we have an excellent SDE on our hands.

The arguments almost remind me the knocks on Ben Councell. The DOG and the SAM are very similar positions from a physical standpoint. Ben is tall, but he was also always considered very fast. I don't see why people are assuming he won't fit well at SAM (or even a MIKE)? Turner is a great story and will get some legitimate minutes, but he didn't unseat BC. Ben was recovering.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I don't see why people are assuming [Councell] won't fit well at SAM (or even a MIKE)?

I can't recall anyone arguing that Ben won't be a good fit as a SLB. Conversely, some of us believe that Jaylon (at WLB) and Councell (at SLB) are ideal OLBs in BvG's new scheme.

MLB is a different story. I can't recall any successful MLBs, either in college or the NFL, that fit Councell's profile.

 

[Wild Bill]

I can't recall anyone arguing that Ben won't be a good fit as a SLB. Conversely, some of us believe that Jaylon (at WLB) and Councell (at SLB) are ideal OLBs in BvG's new scheme.

MLB is a different story. I can't recall any successful MLBs, either in college or the NFL, that fit Councell's profile.

It's been discussed before, he's built very similar to Urlacher. I don't know enough about VG's scheme to know what characteristics are needed to play mike. Urlacher played in the Tampa two his whole career and it really played to his strengths. In his prime, he had better hips than any safety on the Bears current roster.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

It's been discussed before, he's built very similar to Urlacher. I don't know enough about VG's scheme to know what characteristics are needed to play mike. Urlacher played in the Tampa two his whole career and it really played to his strengths. In his prime, he had better hips than any safety on the Bears current roster.

I remember it, but must have bowed out before the Urlacher comparison. That's a good one, though S to MLB is bit different than WDE to MLB. And Urlacher is basically the football-equivalent of a unicorn. I wouldn't count on anyone being able to replicate his success.

But let's not restart this debate in Grant's thread. I agree with DN that Grant will be a great fit at SDE or DT for us.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I can't recall anyone arguing that Ben won't be a good fit as a SLB. Conversely, some of us believe that Jaylon (at WLB) and Councell (at SLB) are ideal OLBs in BvG's new scheme.

MLB is a different story. I can't recall any successful MLBs, either in college or the NFL, that fit Councell's profile.

What you described is what I have thought: excellent SAM prospect, serviceable MLB prospect just because he's big and hard-nosed.

The someone I was recalling off of the top of my head was from Mike Frank on Power Hour. I was not attributing it to anyone in particular here.

 

[irishog77]

I can't recall anyone arguing that Ben won't be a good fit as a SLB. Conversely, some of us believe that Jaylon (at WLB) and Councell (at SLB) are ideal OLBs in BvG's new scheme.

MLB is a different story. I can't recall any successful MLBs, either in college or the NFL, that fit Councell's profile.

Isn't this what we thought about them in Diaco's scheme too? Good in space, can cover, and can get to the QB.


As to the general topic of Councell at MLB, I have no clue if he would be good or not. True, there aren't many MLB's that have his height...but they have his weight and are 1-2" shorter. So it's not like Ben is being considered as a jockey or anything-- he's what, like 3-5% taller? Also to the people who believe he doesn't fit the "profile," neither did 3/4 of the Seahwaks secondary 3 years ago...now it's the rage. Hell, their own MLB was a DE in college.

 

[ulukinatme]

It's been discussed before, he's built very similar to Urlacher. I don't know enough about VG's scheme to know what characteristics are needed to play mike. Urlacher played in the Tampa two his whole career and it really played to his strengths. In his prime, he had better hips than any safety on the Bears current roster.

Urlacher, Shmurlacher

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Fa1TSaKmG2o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Luckylucci]

Brian Kelly was on WSBT radio this evening and was asked which member of the 2014 recruiting class he considers to be a "dark horse" that could contribute right away and he said Grant Blankenship. Kelly said he likes his length and wants to see him up close and personal. "There's always such a premium on guys that can rush the quarterback," Kelly said.

Then said that on offense "Anybody that can score a touchdown."

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Nice cake, ay? <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantMostdope">@GrantMostdope</a> had a great time at his graduation party with family and friends! <a href="http://t.co/LdviwWyboK">pic.twitter.com/LdviwWyboK</a></p>— The Blankenship's (@yblank) <a href="https://twitter.com/yblank/statuses/476760032709586945">June 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[TheTurningPoint]

What you described is what I have thought: excellent SAM prospect, serviceable MLB prospect just because he's big and hard-nosed.

The someone I was recalling off of the top of my head was from Mike Frank on Power Hour. I was not attributing it to anyone in particular here.

I have been calling Councell to MLB since he got to ND. I dont really care about ht/wt/etc. Clearly BK really doesnt care. IF you can play, you can play. Councell is a big, physical kid. I think we all saw that he was a physical presence last year, and impacted the defense in a good way.

Yeah, there arent many 6'5 250lb LB's in the NFL, but also, how many 6'5 250lb guys can run, have the strength, and athleticism Councell does? People talk about ND getting freak athletes? Councell was a Day 1 freak. He fits the build of a typical Stanford pest we had to deal with.

I have said it multiple times on here, but give BK 10 Councell/Tranquill/Onwualu type kids a class and ND will win a ton of games. BK/Staff know how to coach kids up to their max potential and get them into positions that they will succeed. ND just needs football players to fill out the roster. Bama/LSU gets athletes and plugs them in regardless of position that best fits them in the NFL or high school position. That allows them to be faster, and just kill teams with athleticism. They get those Mokwuah/Cage/Dew-Treadway/Tiassum types to clog the middle up and ROTATE them all game, then let the freaks eat. ND is copying that and Stanford at the sametime. Getting lower ranked 3 stars that love football, love ND, and will bust their ass everyday. Consistent winning starts with consistent winning if that makes sense.

And Blankenship and Urlacher? I dont see it at all. Urlacher was a safety in high school. Blankenship is a DE.

 

[irishff1014]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Nice cake, ay? <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantMostdope">@GrantMostdope</a> had a great time at his graduation party with family and friends! <a href="http://t.co/LdviwWyboK">pic.twitter.com/LdviwWyboK</a></p>— The Blankenship's (@yblank) <a href="https://twitter.com/yblank/statuses/476760032709586945">June 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's awesome right there!

 

[Irishman77]

I have been calling Councell to MLB since he got to ND. I dont really care about ht/wt/etc. Clearly BK really doesnt care. IF you can play, you can play. Councell is a big, physical kid. I think we all saw that he was a physical presence last year, and impacted the defense in a good way.

Yeah, there arent many 6'5 250lb LB's in the NFL, but also, how many 6'5 250lb guys can run, have the strength, and athleticism Councell does? People talk about ND getting freak athletes? Councell was a Day 1 freak. He fits the build of a typical Stanford pest we had to deal with.

I have said it multiple times on here, but give BK 10 Councell/Tranquill/Onwualu type kids a class and ND will win a ton of games. BK/Staff know how to coach kids up to their max potential and get them into positions that they will succeed. ND just needs football players to fill out the roster. Bama/LSU gets athletes and plugs them in regardless of position that best fits them in the NFL or high school position. That allows them to be faster, and just kill teams with athleticism. They get those Mokwuah/Cage/Dew-Treadway/Tiassum types to clog the middle up and ROTATE them all game, then let the freaks eat. ND is copying that and Stanford at the sametime. Getting lower ranked 3 stars that love football, love ND, and will bust their ass everyday. Consistent winning starts with consistent winning if that makes sense.

And Blankenship and Urlacher? I dont see it at all. Urlacher was a safety in high school. Blankenship is a DE.

Preach on brother! Excellent post..

 

[ResLife Hero]

I have said it multiple times on here, but give BK 10 Councell/Tranquill/Onwualu type kids a class and ND will win a ton of games. BK/Staff know how to coach kids up to their max potential and get them into positions that they will succeed. ND just needs football players to fill out the roster. Bama/LSU gets athletes and plugs them in regardless of position that best fits them in the NFL or high school position. That allows them to be faster, and just kill teams with athleticism. They get those Mokwuah/Cage/Dew-Treadway/Tiassum types to clog the middle up and ROTATE them all game, then let the freaks eat. ND is copying that and Stanford at the sametime. Getting lower ranked 3 stars that love football, love ND, and will bust their ass everyday. Consistent winning starts with consistent winning if that makes sense.

This is why I haven't had any issue with the recent DT commits. We're running a 4-3 base which means 2 DTs need to be on the field at any time. If you have a deep stable of 310+ lb guys with high motors, you can essentially eat 3-4 OLinemen each play. Then, we can unleash all the former CAT recruits as DEs with exceptional speed and wreak havoc. Throw in our recent success recruiting DBs and those Councell/Tranquil/Onwualu types flying around the field, and you've got the makings of an overwhelming D.

As for Grant, his size and length allow us to show more on the line, and his stength/speed combination is going to be killer against the edge with the aforementioned DTs occupying the middle of the offense.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I have been calling Councell to MLB since he got to ND. I dont really care about ht/wt/etc. Clearly BK really doesnt care. IF you can play, you can play. Councell is a big, physical kid. I think we all saw that he was a physical presence last year, and impacted the defense in a good way.

Yeah, there arent many 6'5 250lb LB's in the NFL, but also, how many 6'5 250lb guys can run, have the strength, and athleticism Councell does? People talk about ND getting freak athletes? Councell was a Day 1 freak. He fits the build of a typical Stanford pest we had to deal with.

I have said it multiple times on here, but give BK 10 Councell/Tranquill/Onwualu type kids a class and ND will win a ton of games. BK/Staff know how to coach kids up to their max potential and get them into positions that they will succeed. ND just needs football players to fill out the roster. Bama/LSU gets athletes and plugs them in regardless of position that best fits them in the NFL or high school position. That allows them to be faster, and just kill teams with athleticism. They get those Mokwuah/Cage/Dew-Treadway/Tiassum types to clog the middle up and ROTATE them all game, then let the freaks eat. ND is copying that and Stanford at the sametime. Getting lower ranked 3 stars that love football, love ND, and will bust their ass everyday. Consistent winning starts with consistent winning if that makes sense.

And Blankenship and Urlacher? I dont see it at all. Urlacher was a safety in high school. Blankenship is a DE.

This is why I haven't had any issue with the recent DT commits. We're running a 4-3 base which means 2 DTs need to be on the field at any time. If you have a deep stable of 310+ lb guys with high motors, you can essentially eat 3-4 OLinemen each play. Then, we can unleash all the former CAT recruits as DEs with exceptional speed and wreak havoc. Throw in our recent success recruiting DBs and those Councell/Tranquil/Onwualu types flying around the field, and you've got the makings of an overwhelming D.

As for Grant, his size and length allow us to show more on the line, and his stength/speed combination is going to be killer against the edge with the aforementioned DTs occupying the middle of the offense.

It's hard to keep my excitement down with posts like this. I really hope VanGorder knows what he's doing because it seems like we have plenty of pieces to have, at the very least, a good defense.

 

[GBdomer]

Why isn't he playing? Okwara and Rochell show zero pass rush ability and I know Rochell is stout against the run and is a better 3 tech player but he's not gonna take snaps away from Day. But Blankenship and Trumbetti have shown then can fly off the ball but we seem to not be playing either. We need to find a pass rush and I know we didn't have one going into the season but Blankenship and Trumbetti need more opportunities to get after the QB IMO. I think that will be one of the keys to the game this weekend and he just doesn't seem like one of those kids who would be in the doghouse so I don't really understand it at all.

 

[OCIrish]

Why isn't he playing? Okwara and Rochell show zero pass rush ability and I know Rochell is stout against the run and is a better 3 tech player but he's not gonna take snaps away from Day. But Blankenship and Trumbetti have shown then can fly off the ball but we seem to not be playing either. We need to find a pass rush and I know we didn't have one going into the season but Blankenship and Trumbetti need more opportunities to get after the QB IMO. I think that will be one of the keys to the game this weekend and he just doesn't seem like one of those kids who would be in the doghouse so I don't really understand it at all.

GB, let me help with this.

Trumbetti played plenty against UMASS, and Blankenship got some PT during the game as well, however, Blankenship hasn't played as much yet this year as he's adjusting to the weight he's put on (scheduled by the staff) as he's bulking up. Trumbetti wasn't used atball really against Tech because of the triple option that they run.

 

[ulukinatme]

Part of the reason we didn't get a great pass rush on UMass was due to their quick passing. Not even Justin Tuck could get to the QB in time on some of those passes (Obviously not all of them). Maybe if we were pressing the receivers at the line more we could give our DL time to rush the QB. Need to disrupt those routes to give our guys time to get there. It seems like we play off the receivers and give them a cushion more often than not. Hard to force a QB into bad throws when they're employing a lot of quick passes. That would explain our lack of INTs through the first 4 games.