North Hills graduate Blanks uses size, speed as weapon
Gannon University football coach Erik Raeburn was obviously pleased by the performance turned in by Melvin Blanks during the 2021 season.
He was even more impressed when he watched the 6-foot-1, 212-pound tailback for a second time.
“Melvin is super talented,” said Raeburn. “He is a powerful runner who has good vision.”
Blanks, a North Hills graduate, was one of three running backs voted firstteam PSAC Western Division all- conference after placing second in the entire conference with 1,197 yards rushing, which translated to an average of 108.8 per game. He carried the ball 192 times and scored eight touchdowns, while averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
“I was even more impressed watching his cutups during the offseason,” Raeburn said. “We break down every play from the season and Melvin was almost perfect. He ran the ball exactly where it should have been run on almost every play. It’s rare to see that with any running back.”
His size and speed makes Blanks a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
“He is a very powerful runner who can run through tackles,” Raeburn said. “And he’s got great vision once he gets past the line of scrimmage.”
Blanks also caught 12 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
“Melvin is also a good receiver coming out of the backfield,” Raeburn said. “We have to get him the ball more in the passing game this year.”
Blanks believes his ability to be patient is a key to his success.
“I always follow the flow of my blockers,” he said. “I try to be patient and take the hole they give me. I also try to take advantage of the defense we are up against.”
Blanks was fortunate to have five offensive linemen who started all 11 games ... and four were underclassmen.
“I couldn’t have had the success I had last season without the performance of my offensive line,” Blanks said. “I take my hat off to those guys. It’s great to have four of them back this year.”
Montana Nietert and Jacob Petit are back at guard, Jordan Covatto returns at center and Riley Noble is back at right tackle.
“It’s rare to have all five linemen start every game,” Raeburn said. “Playing on the line is a very physical position. You usually have a starter or two who will miss a game or so with a nagging injury. We were very fortunate last season.”
The fifth starter on the line is expected to be Eyvar Robles, a former starter who missed last season with an injury.
“Eyvar started all four games at tackle during the COVID-shortened season,” Raeburn said. “He would have been our starter last year, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in our fourth practice.”
Blanks and the linemen are among 10 starters returning on offense from a squad that posted a 5- 6 record.
“We have almost everybody back,” Blanks said. “I’m very excited for the upcoming season. Our goal is to win the Western Division title.”
Also back on offense for the Golden Knights is quarterback Kory Curtis and his top five targets. Kurtis completed 157 of 312 passes for 2,255 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first year at Gannon. Prior to his time at Gannon, Curtis threw for 1,853 yards and eight touchdowns while making 11 starts at Bryant University.
“We must continue to grow and trust the people around us,” Blanks said. “We have a team that believes that we are good as a group. We have the confidence and talent required to take it to the next level.”
Blanks actually thought he would be a cornerback in college, until his senior year at North Hills.
“I started at cornerback and was a backup running back my junior year,” Blanks said. “My senior year, I started both ways and broke LaVar Arrington’s single- season rushing record. It was a super accomplishment to break his record.”
Blanks made his debut at Gannon in 2018, serving as the team’s primary kickoff returner. He returned 24 kicks for 586 yards. He also saw some action at running back and accumulated 185 yards on 42 carries.
In 2019, Blanks appeared in eight games and made seven starts for the Golden Knights. He rushed for 460 yards and two touchdowns on 94 attempts. He also caught 13 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Gannon played only four games in the 2020-21 spring season due to COVID- 19 shutdowns. Blanks appeared in three games and rushed for 203 yards on 44 carries.