Stone Blanton / submitted
2022 LB Stone Blanton Loves Michigan's Culture
After three games in the 2020 season, Jackson (Miss.) Madison-Ridgeland Academy linebacker Stone Blanton has reinforced the notion that he is one of the top interior 'backers int he south.
Ranked as the No. 10 player at his position by Rivals.com, Blanton is drawing acclaim for his work as the center piece of the Patriots' defense while also starring on the baseball diamond in the offseason. Currently, Blanton is committed to Mississippi State for baseball, but he expressed a strong desire to Wolverine Digest to leave the state in pursuit of other dreams.
Along those lines, Michigan's recent offer struck a chord given the 2022 middle linebacker's proclivity to leave the state.
“I had sent Michigan my film. I remember watching the Amazon film they came out with that went around Michigan, and I remember loving the campus, players and the coaches," Blanton told Wolverine Digest. "It was amazing to see that at a Division 1 program. That's kind of what drew me to Michigan."
Reiterating his desire to get out of the state of Mississippi, Blanton mentioned that he took notice of Michigan's support system.
"I've seen Michigan Stadium, and their fanbase is just unreal," Blanton said. "Their coaches, they know what's going on. Coach Brown, he's a defensive mastermind. They are super good guys up there.”
As soon as Michigan began reaching out to Blanton, the hard-nosed middle linebacker knew that his junior campaign would be even more important. And since that time, the Michigan target has averaged 13 tackles per game.
"One of the recruiting guys followed me, and I was like I got super hyped up about it," Blanton said. "I knew I had to send him my film. I sent him my film, and then he watched it, showed it to a few other guys, I got some more follows and they gave me Coach [Don] Brown's number. I was able to call him [Wednesday], and he was talking to me. He spoke highly of my game and then we talked about Michigan a little bit. I loved it. It was definitely a good talk, and I'm excited about it.”
Blanton mentioned how Coach Brown praised his instincts, speed and ability to make plays in space. Blanton's aggressive nature carried over onto film, and the 6-3, 225-pounder presents himself as a impact player without a doubt. That is why he has racked up eight tackles for loss through three games.
Right now, Michigan has four linebackers committed in the 2021 class (five if you consider potential Viper Kechaun Bennett), but the '22 cycle is more open for leeway.
Should Michigan pursue more middle linebackers or outside linebackers? Does it matter? Let us know!