Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blankenship is eager for his return
6/3/2020 5:00:00 PM | Football, BRAA
Reed Blankenship thought he had lost much more than the rest of his junior season when he suffered a broken left leg during a Conference USA showdown at North Texas six games into the football season last October.
The all-conference safety and captain thought he had lost his voice within the team.
"It was the first time I had been injured like that and out for the rest of the season. It took a toll from a mental aspect," Blankenship said. "I felt helpless. Not being out there was tough. I felt like I couldn't speak my mind. I felt like I didn't have a voice anymore. It was like I was on the outside looking in and it was one of the toughest things I had experienced."
Of course, players don't generally lose their positions or stature within the framework of the team due to injury.
Captains don't lose their influence so easily.
"Reed is a captain and he felt like he needed to be out there with his teammates but he soon learned that being a captain isn't just what you do on the field," said Rick Stockstill, head coach of the Blue Raider football team. "He was named a captain because of the example he set on the field, off the field, in the locker room, the classroom. Just the way he leads in every area of his life."
A conversation with defensive coordinator Scott Shafer helped Blankenship understand how he could still impact the defense even though he wasn't on the field.
"I sat down with Coach Shafer and explained how I felt," Blankenship said. "Coach Shafer told me not to say I didn't have a voice. He really encouraged me. He told me I wouldn't be a captain if the guys didn't believe in me. I'm just the type of person that I have to be around my teammates. I don't like to be on the sideline. It's tough.
"After my talk with Coach Shafer I realized the guys look to me. That's when I figured out I can still help even while I'm hurt. I became another eye in the sky."
Blankenship did what great players and teammates do. Even though he couldn't contribute on the field, the Athens, Ala. native found other means to make his impact felt.
He learned from one of the best. As a young player in the program Blankenship came to admire and respect the actions of quarterback Brent Stockstill.
"Brent taught me a lot and made me better as a player and person," Blankenship said. "Brent did everything right 110 percent all of the time. That's what you have to do to succeed at the college level. Brent wasn't a big vocal guy but his actions spoke volumes. I noticed that when I got here.
"I try to be a role model more than a vocal person. I'm not really good with words but if my actions are right then I know someone can pick up on that pretty quick."
Blankenship, the son of Troy and Sandra Blankenship, has worked diligently during his rehabilitation and says he is ready to be back on the field.
"I am 100 percent confident that I am as good as new," Blankenship said. "As far as where I am I guess that will be determined when I get back on the field in a game situation."
One thing is certain.
Middle Tennessee's defense is better with Blankenship on the field. The rising senior was a first-team, All-C-USA selection as a sophomore and league coaches voted him second team despite missing five games last season.
The hard-hitting safety was named to the Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award watch lists last season citing him as one of the top defensive players in the country. Blankenship was also named to the College Football America Yearbook's 2019 Preseason Dream Team.
"Reed has worked hard in his rehab just as he does in his preparation for games," Stockstill said. "We are excited to get him back on the field because he is a difference maker in a lot of ways."
Blankenship's first season as a Blue Raider was also Shafer's first as defensive coordinator.
Blankenship said he has seen tremendous growth in the defensive unit in the previous three years and is eager to see what lies in store for 2020.
"I can't wait," Blankenship said. "I have seen our defense grow. Coach Shafer builds up game plans but if we see something different, he lets us check out of it. He trusts us. He has laid a great foundation and we can only go up from here. This season is going to be pretty great."
Sounds like a man with a voice of reason.
The all-conference safety and captain thought he had lost his voice within the team.
"It was the first time I had been injured like that and out for the rest of the season. It took a toll from a mental aspect," Blankenship said. "I felt helpless. Not being out there was tough. I felt like I couldn't speak my mind. I felt like I didn't have a voice anymore. It was like I was on the outside looking in and it was one of the toughest things I had experienced."
Of course, players don't generally lose their positions or stature within the framework of the team due to injury.
Captains don't lose their influence so easily.
"Reed is a captain and he felt like he needed to be out there with his teammates but he soon learned that being a captain isn't just what you do on the field," said Rick Stockstill, head coach of the Blue Raider football team. "He was named a captain because of the example he set on the field, off the field, in the locker room, the classroom. Just the way he leads in every area of his life."
A conversation with defensive coordinator Scott Shafer helped Blankenship understand how he could still impact the defense even though he wasn't on the field.
"I sat down with Coach Shafer and explained how I felt," Blankenship said. "Coach Shafer told me not to say I didn't have a voice. He really encouraged me. He told me I wouldn't be a captain if the guys didn't believe in me. I'm just the type of person that I have to be around my teammates. I don't like to be on the sideline. It's tough.
"After my talk with Coach Shafer I realized the guys look to me. That's when I figured out I can still help even while I'm hurt. I became another eye in the sky."
Blankenship did what great players and teammates do. Even though he couldn't contribute on the field, the Athens, Ala. native found other means to make his impact felt.
He learned from one of the best. As a young player in the program Blankenship came to admire and respect the actions of quarterback Brent Stockstill.
"Brent taught me a lot and made me better as a player and person," Blankenship said. "Brent did everything right 110 percent all of the time. That's what you have to do to succeed at the college level. Brent wasn't a big vocal guy but his actions spoke volumes. I noticed that when I got here.
"I try to be a role model more than a vocal person. I'm not really good with words but if my actions are right then I know someone can pick up on that pretty quick."
Blankenship, the son of Troy and Sandra Blankenship, has worked diligently during his rehabilitation and says he is ready to be back on the field.
"I am 100 percent confident that I am as good as new," Blankenship said. "As far as where I am I guess that will be determined when I get back on the field in a game situation."
One thing is certain.
Middle Tennessee's defense is better with Blankenship on the field. The rising senior was a first-team, All-C-USA selection as a sophomore and league coaches voted him second team despite missing five games last season.
The hard-hitting safety was named to the Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award watch lists last season citing him as one of the top defensive players in the country. Blankenship was also named to the College Football America Yearbook's 2019 Preseason Dream Team.
"Reed has worked hard in his rehab just as he does in his preparation for games," Stockstill said. "We are excited to get him back on the field because he is a difference maker in a lot of ways."
Blankenship's first season as a Blue Raider was also Shafer's first as defensive coordinator.
Blankenship said he has seen tremendous growth in the defensive unit in the previous three years and is eager to see what lies in store for 2020.
"I can't wait," Blankenship said. "I have seen our defense grow. Coach Shafer builds up game plans but if we see something different, he lets us check out of it. He trusts us. He has laid a great foundation and we can only go up from here. This season is going to be pretty great."
Sounds like a man with a voice of reason.
Players Mentioned
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