Walter Blanchard’s senior has been off to a great start. His college interest is growing rapidly, he has 315 yards receiving, 4 touchdowns on just 16 receptions thru 3 games, and just last week he made one of the top catches of the 2022 season here in the state of Georgia.
Playing against Mt. Zion-Carroll, Brookstone was driving downfield inside the redzone. Blanchard was split out wide to the right side of the field, and at the snap ran a fade route to the back right corner of the endzone. The ball was lofted into the backend of the endzone where Blanchard had a Mt. Zion-Carroll defender nearby. He went up for the pass, making a late adjustment and snagging the football with one hand while also getting his feet in bounds for a score.
The catch was spectacular and would have made Odell Beckham Jr. blush. Blanchard was rightfully named the #1 play in the state of Georgia on the website. Brookstone went on to blowout the Eagles 33-10, and look prime to be one of the best teams in the GISA.
“My senior year has been awesome so far. We are 3-0 right now and looking to continue that record,” Blanchard said.
On the recruiting front, the 6′ 195 senior receiver is starting to see his college interest absolutely catch on fire.
“Yes, my recruitment has started to pick up and I am incredibly honored to have an offer from the schools I do. I have gotten an offer from Georgia, Yale, Samford, Birmingham Southern, and Grinnell.” Blanchard continued to talk about upcoming visits, “This fall I am planning to visit Georgia, Yale, and Samford but might add some more depending on where my recruitment goes.”
Blanchard is a receiver we have covered in the past. In fact, his hook ‘n ladder touchdown last year against Whitfield Academy was one of the top plays of the week. This season though, Blanchard is making highlight reel-worthy plays each game and showcasing elite hands while also breaking off bigger gains with an average of 19 yards per catch.
“Over the last year I have worked on many things but a few key ideas are my release off the ball, acceleration off the ball, breaking at the top of my routes, and catching the ball away from my body,” he said.
Brookstone dropped out of the GHSA this year, but do not sneer at their schedule, Brookstone has wins over Glenwood (AL), First Presbyterian Day, and now Mt. Zion-Carroll. They have put together an impressive start to the year and look to be one of the best teams in the Columbus area.
Blanchard sees the program continuing its success and wants to leave it all on the field for his final year of football at Brookstone.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to obviously go all the way, but also to play the best we can and have no regrets after it’s all over,” Blanchard said.
That goal of ‘going all the way’ certainly seems attainable based on the start of the year. Of course, that added success will attract more colleges’ attention, which already seems to be the case anyways for Blanchard, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia to see the latest on the senior and athletes all across the state of Georgia.
