Countdown to Kickoff talks to sophomore cornerback Blake Countess about getting on the field as a freshman, playing opposite J.T. Floyd, and the team's growing excitement as the season opener approaches.
CAREER HIGHS Tackles: 8, vs. Virginia Tech (Jan. 3, 2012) Solos: 6, vs. Virginia Tech (Jan. 3, 2012) Asst: 3, at Michigan State (Oct. 15, 2011) TFLs: 1, vs. Purdue (Oct. 29, 2011) Sacks: None Int.: None FR: None PBUs: 2, vs. Minnesota (Oct. 1, 2011)
At Michigan ... has appeared in 13 games at cornerback, making seven starts.
Sophomore (2012) ...suffered season-ending knee injury in season opener vs. Alabama (Sept. 1) ... earned John F. Maulbetsch spring award for a freshman based on desire, character, capacity for leadership and future success both on and of the field.
Freshman (2011) ... Sugar Bowl champion ... earned first varsity letter ... ESPN.com and BTN.com Big Ten All-Freshman Team ... appeared in 12 games; played 11 games at cornerback, starting last six games (Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, Virginia Tech) and participating in 12 games on special teams ... second on the team with six pass break-ups ... made five-plus tackles in six games ... VIRGINIA TECH (Jan. 3) ... made career-high eight tackles, including six solo stops and a half tackle-for-loss ... PURDUE (Oct. 29) ... made first collegiate start at cornerback, registering three tackles and first career TFL ... MINNESOTA (Oct. 1) ... forced first career fumble and recorded career-high two PBUs along with a team-high five tackles as a reserve cornerback ... SAN DIEGO STATE (Sept. 24) ... posted seven tackles and broke up first career pass ... WESTERN MICHIGAN (Sept. 3) ... made collegiate debut on special teams.
Prep ... attended Our Lady Of Good Counsel High School (2011) coached by Bob Milloy ... played defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner ... helped team win back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships ... posted a shuttle time of 3.97 seconds and a vertical leap of 37 inches ... benched 255 pounds and squatted 395 pounds ... Key Statistics ... recorded 44 total pass breakups during his high school career ... posted 50 tackles and returned one kickoff for a touchdown as a junior ... Honors and Rankings ... participated in the U.S. Army All-American game ... four-star prospect, the No. 10 cornerback nationally according to Rivals.com ... listed as the third-best prospect in Maryland and the 131st overall player in the country by Rivals.com ... four-star recruit and the No. 14 cornerback prospect nationally according to ESPN.com ... four-star prospect and the No. 20 cornerback nationally according to Scout.com ... named to RivalsHigh.com second-team All-American defense in 2010 ... earned first-team all-state honors as a senior ... second-team Washington Post All-Met selection as a senior.
Personal ... Blake Countess was born August 8, 1993 ... enrolled in the School of Kinesiology, major undeclared.
