Blanton Hoping for Block Party

At 6 feet 9, 332 pounds, UCLA tackle Ed Blanton has been a fixture on the Bruin offensive line the last three years.

But what Blanton hasn’t been is a dominant force.

When he’s on top of his game, Blanton is difficult to deal with because of his size. However, when he struggles, he isn’t a factor and that is something the fifth-year senior hopes to change.

“I have to be more aggressive,” said Blanton, who had started 22 consecutive games before an injury forced him to come off the bench last year in UCLA’s 34-26 victory at Oregon. “I need to be more focused, because if I do that, I can be a good player.

“Sometimes, and I don’t why it is, I’m just not focused all of the time. It’s not like I lose focus right in the middle of a game, it’s that I need to stay dialed in on all the little things at all times.”

Thanks to his long arms and agile feet, Blanton is an effective pass blocker. But as a run blocker, Blanton can be soft, which is how a Wyoming player described him after the Cowboys defeated UCLA, 24-21, in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl.

Tom Cable, UCLA’s offensive coordinator and line coach, has spent a lot of time talking to Blanton about being consistent.

“For us to go where we want to go, Ed has to be a dominant football player,” Cable said. “We’ve talked about this since January. Yes, he’s a big guy who has worked [hard] to get stronger, bigger and more athletic. But what has to change in Ed is that he has to want to kick in your face on every snap.

“He has it, but it comes and goes. It has to be an all-the-time thing.”

Last season, UCLA rarely called running plays behind Blanton. Instead, the Bruins mainly ran to the opposite side, with Blanton’s main job being to cut-block at the line of scrimmage. Cable said Blanton will get more opportunities this season.

“He’s an awesome human being, he’s talented, but there’s something about being an offensive lineman.... he has to want you to run the ball behind him,” Cable said. “Ed has to get to where he’s convincing me and his teammates to run behind him because he’ll get it done.”

During the off-season, Blanton lost several pounds while adding muscle and increasing his strength. His hard work has not gone unnoticed by teammates.

“You can see an improvement in his toughness and willingness to stick his nose in there,” fifth-year senior linebacker Spencer Havner said. “He’s moving guys down the line. That’s good to see.”

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Senior linebacker Wesley Walker will have surgery to remove torn cartilage from his right knee on Friday and will be sidelined for at least three weeks.... Freshman receiver Gavin Ketchum has been impressive in camp, and Coach Karl Dorrell said he’s pushing for playing time. Fullback Michael Pitre and defensive end Justin Hickman got into a fight near the end of practice, the first day the Bruins practiced in helmets and shoulder pads.... The Bruins will continue to practice once a day until Friday, the first day they will wear full uniforms. Starting Saturday, UCLA will alternate between twice-a-day and once-a-day workouts with an open-to-the public scrimmage at Drake Stadium on Aug. 20.