University of Wyoming Athletics

UW This Season: Blankenbaker is a veteran leader on the defensive side of the ball and will be the main player at the nickel back position this season.

2020: Blankenbaker appeared in four games for the Cowboys battling through injuries. He finished the season with eight tackles with six solo stops and two assisted tackles. He also added two pass breakups for the season. He recorded a season-high three tackles in the first two contests of the season against Nevada and Hawai’i. He also added his pass breakups against Nevada and at Colorado State.

2019: Blankenbaker made the transition from cornerback to Nickel last season and was one the key members of the Cowboy defense. He appeared in all 13 games for the Pokes with 10 starts. He finished the season fourth on the team and tackles and is Wyoming’s leading returning tackler with 57 stops last season. He recorded 38 solo stops and added 19 assisted tackles. He led the Cowboys last season with 10 pass breakups. He recorded a career-high nine tackles in twice against New Mexico and Utah State. In the New Mexico contest, Blankenbaker recorded eight solo stops for a career best. He also forced a fumble in the contest against Utah State. He recorded a career-high three bass breakups against Idaho.

2018: Blankenbaker appeared in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman paying at the cornerback position. He finished the season with 29 total tackles with 22 solo stops and seven assists. He also added three pass breakups for the season. He recorded a career-high seven tackles at Hawai’i. He recorded six tackles against Boise State and added five against Wofford. He recorded pass breakups at Hawai’I, Colorado State and at New Mexico.

2017: Blankenbaker redshirted during his first season with the program.

High School: Keyon Blankenbaker was ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 85 overall recruit in the state of Illinois in the 2017 recruiting class.  He was a two-time West Suburban Silver All-Conference cornerback.  Blankenbaker helped lead Oak Park-River Forest High to a 7-3 record and the First Round of the 2016 Illinois 8A State Playoffs.  Class 8A is the largest classification in the state of Illinois.  He has a cousin already on the Cowboy team in freshman Mike Green II from Sacramento, Calif.  Blankenbaker will rejoin his high school teammate and current Wyoming Cowboy freshman Jahmari Moore.  Blankenbaker will also join the Wyoming Football program with Oak Park-River Forest teammate Jared Scott, who is another member of the 2017 Wyoming recruiting class.  They played for head coach John Hoerster at Oak Park-River Forest. Blankenbaker was recruited by Buffalo, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.