Eagles safety Reed Blankenship grew up going to school in Lester, Alabama – a town whose population is roughly 130 people. This past Sunday, he made the game-sealing interception in front of more than 70,000 fans in New Orleans to help the Eagles take down the Saints 15-12. His teammates have now referred to him as "the closer" as Dallas Goedert said postgame.
"I don't know, whatever you want to call me, I'm just out there to play football," Blankenship said following the game. It was the second interception of the young season for the safety, who came up with a huge one in the third quarter against the Packers in Week 1.
Blankenship's journey in the NFL began after he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2022. The former Middle Tennessee State captain was one of just three UDFAs to make the roster out of Training Camp.
A five-year starter in college, Blankenship felt like a freshman again when he joined the Eagles as a fringe roster player just trying to make the team in any way he could.
"You go through years of football, when you're in high school you're the top dog and then you go to college and have to start at the bottom again and work your way up. When I got here, I was like the last person on the roster," Blankenship said. "You have to love it. You just have to come to work every day with a smile on your face and know that if you really want to do this for as long as you want, you have to put in the work."
For Blankenship, it was about staying ready until his time came. In Week 12 of the 2022 season, the then-rookie had his first real opportunity to make a name for himself when C.J. Gardner-Johnson went down with an injury.
"The opportunities that come, you have to take advantage of them," Blankenship said during 2024 Training Camp. "You never know when your number is going to be called. A couple people get hurt here and there and boom, you're playing, so you just have to be on your P's and Q's and be ready to roll."
Blankenship took full advantage when he got his opportunity in that 2022 game against the Packers – he picked off one of the league's top quarterbacks – Aaron Rodgers. It was the first time the four-time MVP had ever thrown an interception to an undrafted rookie.
After finishing his rookie season with 10 games played and four starts, the future looked bright for Blankenship, who earned the starting safety spot and never looked back in 2023, starting all 15 games he played in.
Blankenship led the defense with career highs in tackles (108) and interceptions (3) in 2023. His 108 tackles were the most by an Eagles safety since 1994 and he was one of six NFL players to post 100+ tackles, 10+ pass deflections, and 3+ interceptions last season.
And despite making it into the starting lineup, Blankenship's mentality hasn't wavered during his time in Philadelphia, and he has leaned on the people who have helped him get to this point.
"I'm the type of guy who never forgets where he came from. That goes back to how I was raised, my parents did a great job. They've always pushed me and they were always there for support," Blankenship said. "I have a fiancé now and she's always been my backbone who I can go to, and she understands the game. Just having people in your life that you can go to when things get tough and they're always there for you regardless of whatever is going on in their life."
Wanting to make money for himself, the Alabama native was introduced to working hard at a young age, working on a farm while in high school hauling hay with his friends in the heat of day.
"It just builds character," Blankenship said. "You got to just break through when you're just dog tired and that's how it is now, obviously that was a different thing. It's not football, but it's still preparing your mental for what it is now. And I can say that has helped me tremendously, especially now."
Now, Blankenship is still the starting safety and has continued to make a name for himself in Year 3.
He is tied for sixth among NFL safeties with five interceptions since the start of 2023 and is tied for 10th among all NFL players in that span.
His 2024 season has been off to quite a productive start – Blankenship has allowed four catches on seven targets for 59 yards with two interceptions and two passes defended. He has made 20 tackles (15 solo) and has played 100 percent (184) of the defensive snaps.
"He's got good hands, both of his picks this year are carbon-copies, very tough catches that a lot of guys couldn't make, so his ability to catch the ball is one thing," Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He has a good feel for the game and when he has a chance to be in position to make a play he usually can."
As the Eagles get ready to take on another NFC South opponent in the Buccaneers on Sunday, Blankenship will hope to keep his successful campaign going and help the team pick up another win.
"We just believe in one another. Everyone knows what their job is and how to execute it," Blankenship said. "We've had bits and pieces here and there that need to be fixed but at the end of the day you just count on everybody else."
– Written by Liam Wichser
