Blake Countess

Name: Blake Countess

Location: Baltimore, MD

Position: CB

Ratings: ESPN – 4* (80), Scout – 4*, Rivals 4*

Recruitment: Coach Tony Dews was on Countess for a while, but the coaching staff took until October of Blake’s senior year to offer him a scholarship. Once they did though, Michigan moved well up his list of favorites. It came down to Michigan and Georgia Tech, but after his December official to Ann Arbor, Countess felt more at home in Michigan. Committed 16/12/2010.

Offers: Had mainly offers from a lot of BCS schools, especially on the east coast. Maryland, GT, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Purdue were just a handful to offer.

Stats: Has an electronically timed 4.47 forty yard dash, and currently weighs 175lbs at 5’10. Stats for senior year are unavailable, had around 50 tackles as a junior.

ESPN Analysis: Countess is steady and heady cornerback prospect with natural cover corner skills. Very fluid through his hips and transitions in and out of his pedal smoothly. Aggressive with receivers off the line and plays bigger. Shows good coverage awareness skills; reading routes and the quarterback accurately.

Has good burst and is very quick out of his breaks which makes it hard to create separation on him. Isn’t the tallest prospect, but displays good jumping ability and is generally very comfortable in coverage. Plays hard at all times and is not afraid to come up in run support and make a hit; tackling is reliable, but could learn to wrap up more.

Doesn’t possess elite skills in one particular area, but is very well rounded as a cornerback prospect.

From the man himself: “I’m very aggressive. I don’t let the wide receiver catch the ball. I’m smart and know what’s going on at all times. I have good instincts.

“I want to work on breaking on the ball and improve my anticipation. I didn’t get any interceptions last year, so I definitely want to change that.”

Improvements: Needs to add a bit of bulk, which means he’s probably heading for a redshirt. Tackling technique?

Film Highlights: Link here.

Final Thoughts: Anytime you pick up an Army All American player, it’s a good signing. Countess is also All In for Michigan, and won’t be wavering on his commitment even if the coaching staff is let go.

He’s the fourth CB prospect in the class, shoring up the position for years to come. Countess will now be recruiting for Michigan, hopefully at the Army game, and hopefully with his 2012 teammate Stefon Diggs (ATH), an early ESPN 150 Watch list prospect.