MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football offensive lineman Cameron Blankenship recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss his football career, as well as life off the field. 

Blankenship, a senior from Alexander City, Ala., has started all five games at right guard this season after transferring from Alabama-Birmingham where he played in 30 games through his first three seasons. He has helped the Jaguar offense average nearly 375 total yards per game through its first five contests of the 2015 season. Blankenship was named preseason second-team all-Sun Belt Conference by Athlon Sports, and preseason third-team all-league by Phil Steele Publications. 

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"The factors were how far away I was from home, if I knew any players or coaches on the team and really if it was a place that I could see myself thriving in school and having a good senior year."

Did you know anyone on the team before you transferred to USA?
"Steven Foster was on my official visit with me at UAB. He is the only one I really knew. When (offensive coordinator) Coach (Bryant) Vincent came to UAB, we watched film on the guys so I saw Chris (May) and Joe (Scelfo) but nothing other than that."

What are some strengths of the offensive line?
"We bond and work well together. The chemistry is great. We all have one common goal and that's what you want. We're all brothers."

How important is having that chemistry?
"It's important on and off the field. On the field, it may be loud sometimes like at Nebraska where you can't communicate verbally but you know what that guy is saying just by how he points and acts before we snap the ball. Communication on the offensive line is a big part of it, but I think our communication just keeps improving from the summer to fall camp and through the first five games."

What are some of the strengths of the offense?
"We have the potential for big plays at any moment. Our big-play potential is through the roof, and it shows every week. This offense really sets up for explosive plays, and they can happen at any moment. I think we have proven that so far."

What are your strengths as an offensive lineman?
"I bring experience. I have played a lot of games over the past four years. I just try to come out every day and work as hard as I can. I try to be a good teammate, that's probably the best thing. When I wake up every morning, I just try to be a good teammate. That's what I try to focus on."

What do you like about playing in Coach Vincent's offense?
"It's an up-tempo, fast, run downhill offense. I like going fast. We get tired a lot, but at the same time I like going fast because the faster you go the more tired the defense gets. We're used to that."

Did you run an up-tempo style of offense in high school?
"No, we ran the wishbone in high school. We were three yards and a cloud of dust."

How do you feel like you have improved since you started playing Division I football?
"I wish I could go back to when I first got to college and tell my old self about some of the things I need to know – things that I have learned playing offensive line. Everybody grows through the years. I play a lot nastier and more physical, but I play smarter too. I used to let my emotions get the best of me on the field, and they still do, but I learned to control it. Penalties don't just hurt you, they hurt the team. And if it hurts the team then you're not doing a service to anyone."

What are some things the offense needs to do in order to be successful against Arkansas State?
"Arkansas State always has a good defense. We have to grind and pound it, and we have to protect better. The sack number last game was too high, and that's one thing we constantly strive to work on. Arkansas State brings all kind of blitzes so we will have to focus on making sure we see everything, because we have to keep them off of (quarterback) Cody (Clements). He is an important part of our offense."

How do you feel the team has progressed through the first five games of the season?
"You learn how to be a team during camp, but it keeps building as the season goes. We have learned how to come together and be a team as far as supporting each other. We have come closer together, and that's only going to get better as the season goes along."

What do you want to do when your football career is over?
"I would like to be a coach. I think that is something I would be good at; I feel like I could coach it better than I play it. Between high school and college football, I would rather coach at the collegiate level."

What type of influence has your family had on you through the years?
"My mom taught me to never give up. My dad graduated with two degrees from UAB. He is smart and he teaches me how to be responsible with money, and how to really work for what you want and how to get it. My grandad, my dad's father, taught me a lot about that too. He was around a lot when I was growing up, and he taught me work ethic. That helped me all through college, because I strive to be the best and be first."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to hunt, fish, play golf or just lay around and do nothing. It just depends on what type of mood I am in."

What's the lowest round you have ever shot in golf?
"I shot a 71, 1-over par, at a little course right outside of Alexander City."

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