Will Blackmon | Cornerback | Boston College | 6'0" - 198 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Already an established cornerback, Will made a bold move late in his career when he shifted to
wide receiver as a senior. Known for his blazing speed and game-breaking ability as a return
specialist, Blackmon sacrificed personal success for that of the team when he moved to the
depleted receiving corps.
While many scouts hoped that he would continue to play on defense, Will has mostly
concentrated on improving his receiving ability throughout the 2005 campaign and did not see his
first action on defense until the Eagles' seventh game vs. Wake Forest.
The Bishop Hendricken High School product earned All-American first-team honors from USA
Today, ESPN.com, Super Prep and Prep Star as a senior. He was selected as the top player in
New England by both Super Prep and Prep Star. Blackmon also gained Gatorade Rhode Island
Player of the Year accolades as a senior defensive back/running back. He was a two-time All-
State and three-time All-City choice.
Will led the Hawks to a 9-3 record in 2001, as he rushed for 1,618 yards and 24 touch-downs and
also registered 310 receiving yards. Defensively, he made 100 tackles and three interceptions as
a senior. He intercepted thirteen passes in his final three years at Bishop Hendricken. Blackmon
starred in the annual U.S. Army All-American football all-star game that was played in Alamo
Stadium in San Antonio, Texas in January 2002, registering four tackles, as he also recovered
two fumbles and returned an interception 32 yards. He also excelled in basketball and track,
winning the 100-meter dash in the Rhode Island state meet (10.87).
Will was one of four true freshman to see action at Boston College in 2002. He was the team's
key secondary reserve, collecting 29 tackles (22 solos) with an interception and a pass deflection.
He also recovered and caused a fumble. On special teams, he returned 28 kickoffs for 630 yards
(22.5 avg) and four punts for 29 yards (7.2 avg).
Blackmon took over starting left cornerback duties in 2003. He ranked seventh on the team with a
career-high 64 tackles (50 solos), including two stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused
and recovered a fumble, batted away ten passes and intercepted four others. Will totaled 922
yards on 36 kickoff returns (25.6 avg) and 92 yards on eight punt returns (11.5 avg). His kickoff
return yardage set a school season-record.
Will earned second-team All-Big East honors in 2004, the team's final year in that conference. He
started nine games at left cornerback, sharing the position with 2005 starter, DeJuan Tribble.
Blackmon ranked eighth on the squad with 46 tackles (30 solos) and also caused a fumble. He
deflected three passes and intercepted three others. On special teams, Will became the first
player in school history to return both a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the same season. He
gained 762 yards with a score on 28 kick-offs, ranking eighth in the nation with a 27.2-yard
average. He also amassed 261 yards on 23 punt returns.
With the team lacking veteran depth at wide receiver, Will shifted to split end in 2005. He led the
team with 51 receptions for 763 yards (15.0 avg) and four touchdowns, adding 21 yards on three
reverses. He returned 22 kickoffs for 489 yards (22.2 avg) and 15 punts for 124 yards (8.3 avg)
while making two solo tackles.
In 48 games with the Eagles, Will started 34 times (22 on defense, 12 on offense). He made 141
tackles (104 solos) with two stops for losses of 3 yards. He caused three fumbles, recovered two
others and deflected fourteen passes. Blackmon also intercepted eight passes for 59 yards in
returns. On offense, Will totaled 763 yards with four scores on 51 receptions (15.0 avg) and 21
yards on three carries (7.0 avg).
On special teams, Blackmon returned 114 kickoffs for 2,803 yards (24.6 avg) and a touch-down,
shattering the old school career-records. He fell just 120 yards shy of the NCAA Division 1-A alltime
kickoff return yardage record. Will also gained 506 yards on 40 punt returns (12.7 avg) and a
score.
CAREER NOTES
In 2004, Will became the first player in school history to return a punt and a kickoff for
touchdowns in the same season...He earned 22 starting assignments as a left cornerback and 12
at split end...Holds the school's career-records with 114 kickoff returns for 2,803 yards, shattering
the previous marks of 86 returns for 1,975 yards by Tim Frager (1987-90)...He fell 120 yards shy
of the NCAA career kickoff return yardage record of 2,922 by Jeff Liggon of Tulane (1993-
96)...His 5066 yards on punt returns rank fourth in school history behind Kelvin Martin (1012,
1983-86), Kenyatta Watson (816, 1993-96) and Ed Rideout (714, 1969-71)...Has gained 4,152
all-purpose yards during his career.
2005 SEASON
All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team selection as a receiver, adding honorable mention as
a return specialist...Started all year at split end, leading the team with 51 catches for 763 yards
(15.0 avg) and four touchdowns...Gained 21 yards on three reverses and recorded two solo
tackles...Returned 22 kickoffs for 489 yards (22.2 avg) and 15 punts for 124 yards (8.3
avg)...Amassed 1,397 all-purpose yards, an average of 116.4 yards per game.
2004 SEASON
All-Big East Conference second-team selection...Shared left cornerback duties with DeJuan
Tribble, starting the first seven and final two contests...Recorded 46 tackles (30 solos) and
caused a fumble...Intercepted three passes and deflected three others...Was the nation's eighthranked
kickoff returner with a 27.2-yard average...Only DeJuan Daniels (27.5 avg, 1999) and
Dave Bennett (27.5 avg, 1968) had a better season average in school history...Returned 28
kickoffs for 762 yards, the third-highest yardage total on BC's season-record list, topped only by
Will's 2003 total of 922 yards and Tim Frager's 842 in 1989...Added 92 yards on eight punt
returns (11.5 avg)...Returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns, becoming the first player in
school annals to accomplish that feat in the same season.
2003 SEASON
Started every game at left cornerback, ranking seventh on the team with 64 tackles (50 solos),
including two stops for losses of 3 yards...Recovered and caused a fumble...Had ten pass
deflections and four interceptions for 21 yards in returns...Returned 36 kickoffs for 922 yards
(25.6 avg), breaking the school season-record of 842 yards by Tim Frager in 1989...Added 92
yards on eight punt returns (11.5 avg).
2002 SEASON
One of four Eagle true freshmen to see playing time in 2002...Appeared in eleven games as a
reserve cornerback...Recorded 29 tackles (22 solos) with a pass deflection...Had a 29-yard
interception return, caused a fumble and recovered another...Returned 28 kickoffs for 630 yards
(22.5 avg)...Added 29 yards on four punt returns (7.2 avg).
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.56 in the 40-yard dash...4.5 in the 40-yard dash (indoor rubber surface)...250 bench
press...33-inch arm length...8 7/8-inch hands...Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.) High School, playing football for head coach Ron
Mosca...Earned All-American first-team honors from USA Today, ESPN.com, Super Prep and
Prep Star as a senior...Selected as the top player in New England by both Super Prep and Prep
Star...Gained Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year accolades as a senior defensive
back/running back...Two-time All-State and three-time All-City choice...
Led the Hawks to a 9-3 record in 2001, as he rushed for 1,618 yards and 24 touchdowns and
also registered 310 receiving yards...Defensively, he made 100 tackles and three interceptions
as a senior...Intercepted thirteen passes in his final three years...Starred in the annual U.S. Army
All-American football all-star game that was played in Alamo Stadium in San Antonio, Texas in
January 2002, registering four tackles, as he also recovered two fumbles and returned an
interception 32 yards...Also excelled in basketball and track, winning the 100-meter dash in the
Rhode Island state meet (10.87).
PERSONAL
English major, enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences...Recipient of the 2005-06 Joan S. and
Thomas J. Giblin Athletic Scholarship...Son of Wayne Blackmon...Older brother, Leon Correy, is
a 2000 Boston College graduate...Born 10/27/84...Resides in Warwick, Rhode Island.
| RECEIVING STATISTICS |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
NO |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
LONG |
R/PG |
GM/AVG |
| 2005 |
12 |
12 |
51 |
763 |
15.0 |
4 |
61 |
4.25 |
63.58 |
| DEFENSIVE STATISTICS |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
TK |
SO |
AS |
FR |
FC |
INT |
TFL |
PBU |
SK |
BK |
| 2002 |
11 |
0 |
29 |
22 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0-0 |
1 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2003 |
13 |
13 |
64 |
50 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2-3 |
10 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2004 |
12 |
9 |
46 |
30 |
16 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0-0 |
3 |
0-0 |
0 |
| 2005 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0-0 |
0 |
| Total |
48 |
22 |
141 |
104 |
37 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
2-3 |
14 |
0-0 |
0 |
| KICKOFF RETURNS | PUNT RETURNS |
| Year |
NO |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
LONG |
NO |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
LONG |
| 2002 |
28 |
630 |
22.5 |
0 |
83 |
4 |
29 |
7.2 |
0 |
30 |
| 2003 |
36 |
922 |
25.6 |
0 |
59 |
8 |
92 |
11.5 |
0 |
22 |
| 2004 |
28 |
762 |
27.2 |
1 |
96 |
23 |
261 |
11.3 |
1 |
71 |
| 2005 |
22 |
489 |
22.2 |
0 |
43 |
15 |
124 |
8.3 |
0 |
32 |
| Total |
114 |
2803 |
24.6 |
1 |
96 |
40 |
506 |
12.7 |
1 |
71 |
| INTERCEPTION RETURNS |
| Year |
NO |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
LONG |
| 2002 |
1 |
29 |
29.0 |
0 |
29 |
| 2003 |
4 |
21 |
5.2 |
0 |
23 |
| 2004 |
3 |
9 |
3.0 |
0 |
14 |
| Total |
8 |
59 |
7.4 |
0 |
29 |
| ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE |
| Year |
GM |
PLAYS |
CATCH |
RUSH |
K/RET |
P/RET |
INT |
YARDS |
TDR |
P/AVG |
GM/AVG |
| 2002 |
11 |
33 |
0 |
0 |
630 |
29 |
29 |
688 |
0 |
20.85 |
62.55 |
| 2003 |
13 |
48 |
0 |
0 |
922 |
92 |
21 |
1035 |
0 |
21.56 |
79.62 |
| 2004 |
12 |
54 |
0 |
0 |
762 |
261 |
9 |
1032 |
2 |
19.11 |
86.00 |
| 2005 |
12 |
91 |
763 |
21 |
489 |
124 |
0 |
1397 |
4 |
15.35 |
116.42 |
| Total |
48 |
226 |
763 |
21 |
2803 |
506 |
59 |
4152 |
6 |
18.37 |
86.50 |
RUSHING: 3 for 21, long 18 (2005)
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