Robert Blanton Class: Sophomore Hometown: Matthews, NC High School: Butler Height / Weight: 6-1 / 185 Position: Cornerback Birthdate: 09/07/1989

CAREER:Tremendous young player that will compete for a starting cornerback spot in the fall ... during his first year in 2008 he played in 12 contests and started the final four games ... recorded 33 tackles as a freshman, including three for a loss ... tallied two career interceptions, returning a Curtis Painter throw 47 yards for a touchdown against Purdue ... appeared on special-teams units 63 times.

2008 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in Notre Dame's final 12 games of the season after sitting out opener vs. San Diego State ... started the final four contests at cornerback for the Irish (vs. Navy, Syracuse, USC and Hawai'i) ... tallied 33 total tackles and registered three tackles for a loss ... intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown ... recorded two tackles (both solo) including a tackle for a loss in his career debut against Michigan ... tallied three tackles (solo, two assists) against Michigan State ... helped hold the Spartan passing attack to under 150 yards ... had a career day vs. Purdue by recording five tackles (all solo), breaking up a pass, and intercepting a Curtis Painter pass and returning it 47 yards for the first score of the day ... the interception against the Boilermakers was the first of his career and he became only the fifth Irish freshman to ever return an interception for a touchdown ... saw an increased roll in the secondary against Stanford and recorded a solo tackle in the victory ... recorded two tackles (both solo) vs. North Carolina ... featured in the defensive backfield rotation against Washington and tallied two tackles (solo; assist) and broke up a pass while helping hold the Huskies to just 98 passing yards ... continued to see increased action in the secondary vs. Pittsburgh, making two tackles (both assists) ... helped limit the Boston College passing attack to less than 100 yards passing and below 50-percent completion percentage ... made his first career start and turned in an all-around impressive defensive performance against Navy, registering two tackles (solo; assist), a tackle for loss and a pass break-up ... made his second career start vs. Syracuse and amassed three tackles (all solo) while helping hold the Orange to just 147 passing yards ... started his third consecutive game against USC and tallied a career-high seven tackles (all solo), a tackle for loss and added his second interception of the season vs. the Trojans ... totaled four tackles in season finale against Hawai'i ... logged 170:24 of playing time with 63 special teams appearances.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Selected for U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio where he played both cornerback and safety ... one of 11 players from state of North Carolina selected to All-Southern team by Orlando Sentinel ... named to Super Southern 100 by Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of 10 cornerbacks ... rated 92nd nationally by CSTV/Tom Lemming and 13th among defensive backs ... considered by Rivals.com the top cover safety in nation, 22nd-best safety in country and seventh-best prospect in North Carolina ... rated by Scout.com as 15th-best cornerback in country and third-best player in North Carolina ... named first-team all-state in 2006 and 2007 by North Carolina Associated Press and by Charlotte Observer ... named 2007 Defensive Player of the Year by Charlotte Observer ... played in North-South Carolina Shrine Bowl ... tallied 94 tackles, five interceptions and six blocked kicks in 2007 as senior ... also gained 252 yards on 16 receptions ... helped the Bulldogs reach second round of Class 4AA playoffs ... as a junior, totaled 147 tackles, 12 pass breakups and seven interceptions in 15 games ... caught four passes for 86 yards as a junior ... named second-team all-state as a sophomore after recording 126 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass breakups, forced six fumbles and blocked six kicks ... recognized as Carolina Panthers Community Captain for his outstanding performance in classroom and in community ... member of Butler honor roll and a first lieutenant in Butler's JROTC program ... received JROTC Scholastic Award ... served as a coach for an 11-12-year-old football team at Youth Football Club of Mint Hill ... spokesperson for Butler High's D.R.E.A.M. Team (Daring to Role-model Excellence as Athletic Mentors) and was one of only 12 hand-selected members ... recognized at Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks game for being recognized as a Panthers Community Captain ... one of five finalists for Glenn Davis Award, a national award based on community service, academics and athletic accomplishment, and presented at U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... participated in basketball and track ... ran hurdles and was jumper on track team, surpassing 21 feet in long jump and clearing 6-7 in high jump ... played for coach Mike Newsome ... born Sept. 7, 1989 in Clackamas, Oregon ... son of Kathrine Edwards ... enrolled in Mendoza College of Business.

Blanton's Career Statistics