The Rice Owls donned shoulder pads for the first time in their 2012 Fall Camp on Monday at Rice Stadium.
Rice
Talented corner candidate moved into an immediate role during fall camp.
2012 One of eight true freshmen to play for the Owls this year... Saw action in 12 of 13 games... Early action was primarily on special teams, but stepped into the cornerback rotation when injuries created playing opportunities and also chipping in on kickoff returns late in the year... Had a pair of tackles at corner and added a third on punt coverage... Picked up both his tackles at corner vs. SMU... In addition to a punt coverage tackle at Memphis, recovered a Tulane fumble on a kickoff return to set up a Rice touchdown... Gave the Owls an early spark vs. Southern Miss with a 40-yard return on opener kickoff and then answered a Golden Eagle field goal with a 46-yard return to give Rice a short field that resulted in a touchdown... Named a finalist in the Southern Region for a National High School Scholar Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation... Redshirted teammate Alex Lyons was the region's winner.
Mays High School
Two-time, All-Metro and All-Region 6 AAAA selection for coach Dominic Calloway at Benjamin E. Mays Hight School in Atlanta... Three-year starter for the Raiders.... Credited with 174 tackles, eight interceptions and 35 pass breakups in his career... Team captain as a senior... Named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution "Georgia's Top 125"... Elected "Mr. Mays" as part of Homecoming as a senior... Play it Smart Student-Athlete of the Month for September, 2011... Runs track and led his 4x100 relay to a 4th place finish at the state championship ... Member of 1500+ SAT Club at Mays... Also active in his community... Helped organize and ship textbooks for children in Africa; distributed items to the homeless at Christmas; donated supplies to after-school programs; volunteered at soup kitchens; conducted arts and crafts activities with the Atlanta Union Mission; and donated and wrapped gifts for children in transitional housing... Named a finalist in the South region for the National Football Foundation High School Scholar-Athlete Award, along with fellow Owl freshman Alex Lyons.
Personal
Full Name: John Thomas Blasingame IV ... Born: July 27, 1993 at Atlanta, Georgia ... Parents: Dr. John Thomas and Katrina Blassingame (one brother; two sisters).