(UHND.com) – Notre Dame continued its recruiting momentum on Wednesday with the addition of a four star cornerback prospect in the form of Robert Blanton. Blanton, Notre Dame’s 15th commitment of the year, picked the Irish over Michigan and Virginia Tech.
Blanton (6’1”, 175) recorded 147 tackles with seven interceptions and 12 pass break ups as a junior for Butler High School from the corner position – the same position he is projected to play on the college level. Blanton, however, has the flexibility and athleticism to play either safety position as well.
He is an aggressive and physical defender and is probably the most physically tough corner Notre Dame has gotten a commitment from in a number of years. Blanton is very effective playing press coverage and can come up and stuff the run from the corner position as well.
Physically Blanton reminds me of a Shane Walton type of corner. He doesn’t have track star speed, but he has great football speed and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Walton ended up being a consensus All American for the Irish despite lacking ideal speed for a corner and if Blanton can replicate that kind of success, he will make Notre Dame fans very happy.
Because of his “lack” of speed, Blanton will projected by many as a safety prospect, but corner is where he will play for the Irish who targeted him as one of their top corner prospects this year.
Blanton’s commitment continues a trend of strong recruiting at the cornerback position for the Irish under Charlie Weis. Blanton will join top 100 prospects Raeshon McNeil, Darrin Walls, and Gary Gray from the past two classes and the North Carolina native compliments his future teammates extremely well. Of the group, Blanton is the most physical defender which should complement the pure cover abilities of McNeil, Walls, and Gray very well.
With the depth Notre Dame has been developing at the corner position these past few classes, Blanton’s commitment shows that he is not afraid of competition. The Irish have added both depth and talent at the position in these past two classes and Blanton’s commitment has added even more depth and talent to the roster.
Notre Dame now has eight commitments on the defensive side of the ball this year after signing just seven defensive players a year ago. Blanton is also another ESPN Top 150 Watch List prospect in this year’s class – the 12th for the Irish
