Adam Blankenship

Defensive End...6-3...230...Tulsa, Okla. (Union)

Adam Blankenship is Nebraska's lone 2004 signee from the state of Oklahoma and becomes the Huskers' first signee from that state since place-kicker Josh Brown and defensive tackle Jason Lohr inked with the Huskers in 1998. Blankenship starred at annual powerhouse Tulsa Union High for his father, Bill Blankenship. The younger Blankenship earned first-team all-state honors from the Tulsa World and the high school coaches association as a senior, while picking up second-team all-state honors from the Daily Oklahoman. Blankenship was also a first team all-district (6A-3) selection and has been chosen to participate in the Oil Bowl this summer, matching all-star teams from Texas and Oklahoma. As a senior, he helped Union to a 12-1 record and a state semifinal appearance in Class 6A (largest) where Union was defeated by rival Jenks High. Blankenship made 85 tackles, had 10 sacks and recovered three fumbles as a senior from his defensive end position. On offense, he rotated in at the tight end spot. Union was a perfect 14-0 and captured the 6A state title during Blankenship's junior season. He totaled 86 tackles, including eight sacks, and recovered four fumbles in Union's title season, earning second-team all-state honors in the process. Blankenship is ranked as the No. 25 weakside defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com, who also ranks him as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state of Oklahoma. Blankenship is listed as the No. 39 overall prospect in the Midlands Region by SuperPrep Magazine, and was a PrepStar Magazine All-Midlands Region pick. Blankenship has two older brothers who have played Division I-A football. Caleb will be a senior tight end at Tulsa this fall, and Josh completed his career as a quarterback at Eastern Washington in 2002, after playing for three seasons at Tulsa. His father, Bill, played quarterback for Tulsa in the 1970s. Blankenship is also a three-year letterman in track and was a state qualifier in the shot put and discus last year. He is the vice president of the student council and president of Union High's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Adam Blankenship chose Nebraska over Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado State, Texas Tech, Utah and Tulsa. Blankenship was born on June 17, 1985, and is the son of Bill and Angela Blankenship.

Why Nebraska? ? "It has always been a dream of mine to play for a powerhouse like Nebraska. To have a chance to play for Coach Callahan is an opportunity I did not want to pass up."