Blanton joined Fran Curci's Kentucky Wildcats in 1974, and was the first freshman to become a varsity starter at UK.
Only 6' - 2", 235 pounds at the peak of his career, small for a defensive lineman in the Southeastern Conference, Blanton compensated for his relative lack of size with intelligence, a big heart, quickness and a refuse-to-lose mentality.
In his 4 years at UK, Blanton achieved many individual honors, as well as leading Kentucky's defense to a Peach Bowl win in 1976.
An 11th round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 1978, and was the last player cut after training camp before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979.
After retiring from the NFL in 1986, Blanton used his degree earned at UK to become a criminal investigator with the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and spent 11 years as an area manager for Anheuser-Busch.