Alabama Prep Footballer Cameron Blanks Raising His Stock on Recruiting Circuit

Now that he’s in his final season of prep football, Cameron Blanks is dream chasing.

So what exactly is the Cottonwood (Alabama) High running back dreaming?

“It's always been a dream to play college football,” Blanks told Bleacher Report during a recent interview. “Ever since I was a little kid coming up playing peewee football, so it would be great to make my dream come a reality.”

Given the immense strides the 18-year-old Blanks has made in recent years with the Bears, it’s safe to assume he is well on his way to earning a much-anticipated full-ride scholarship.

For starters, the 6’0”, 195-pound speedy back has emerged as the catalyst of a Cottonwood rushing attack that has become one of the finest in Alabama Class 2A. Add to the fact that Blanks has complemented the play of Cory Gill, Cottonwood’s highly touted quarterback, and it’s no wonder scouts have steadfastly kept a close watch on a kid who boasts lofty aspirations of playing football at the collegiate level.

“He's been a good leader for us,” Cottonwood assistant coach Joshua Allen said of Blanks. “He works hard and is a competitor. He loves to win, and that's all we ask of him. We're looking forward to having a good (season) with him on offense, defense and special teams.”

While Blanks has proven to be an asset, given he has played multiple positions for the Bears in recent years, the backfield is where he’s made the most noise.

To his credit, Blanks came in under the radar last year, during which he turned in some impressive numbers as Cottonwood’s featured back.

In helping propel the Bears to a 6-5 mark and a postseason berth, Blanks manufactured 702 yards on 102 carries. In addition, he managed 175 yards on 22 receptions and filled in nicely on special teams. Defensively, he also garnered a number of reps at linebacker, contributions that prompted the Cottonwood coaching staff to label him as one of the most efficient and versatile players on the roster.

Despite the assortment of accolades Blanks has generated, he realizes the importance of staying humble, particularly as he continues to audition for a scholarship.

After impressive showings at a host of camps and combines this past summer, Blanks said he’s accumulated interest from a number of colleges, most notably Troy, South Alabama, Auburn, Southern Miss, Alabama State and Southern University, among others.

As he tells it, there’s still much more work to be done before national signing day.

“The mechanics I need to work on the most are staying low with the football, making tackles on defense and blocking in…just getting better as a player,” Blanks acknowledges. “My strengths on the football field is stepping up as a leader and making big time plays.”

Fortunately for Blanks, his ability to make key plays as a small, speedy, two-way athlete is what has thrust him into the limelight, at least on the recruiting circuit.

Such a trend has even brought his mother, Toshia Blanks, to smiles as she witnesses her son move closer to fulfilling his dream.

“The sky is the limit because he has a great support system as well as a lot of opportunities,” Toshia Blanks said in assessing her son’s progress in recent years. “He just has to stay focused and strive to be the best…as long as he keeps God first. He is running the ball a lot better. And he is disciplined to working out and taking the necessary steps to be the best he can be.”

All of which sums up why this talented back is well on his way to savoring his dream of playing at the next level.

“Well, it will be great to get a full scholarship,” Blanks said. “It won't put that much pressure on my parents to pay for college, and as a student athlete, that's your goal to get a full scholarship. If not, why are you playing a sport? I think I have a great chance of earning a scholarship as a student athlete and playing college football.”

Given his impressive contributions at the high school ranks, it’s safe to say he’s moving ever so closely to fulfilling his dream.

Andre Johnson is a regular contributor for Bleacher Report. To reach Johnson, email him at [e-mail]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.