[1] He matriculated at Cal State-Hayward[1] (since renamed California State University, East Bay).
As a sophomore, Blankenship was named to the third-team Associated Press small college All-America football team in 1973.
[3] After his senior season he was named to the Associated Press College Division All-America team as a first-team selection.
[4] Blankenship has been inducted into the California State University, East Bay Athletics Hall of Fame.
[6] He was picked up by the Steelers about a month later, primarily to serve as a special teams player.