Education
Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia Beach (Virginia) Bayside. Blanding attended Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia Beach (Virginia) Bayside. Blanding attended Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
He was rated by Rivals.com and Scout.com as a five-star recruit. He committed to the University of Virginia to play college football. Blanding immediately became a true freshman in 2014.
He became the first freshman to start the opening game for Virginia at safety since Tony Blount in 1976.
He started all 12 games and recorded 123 tackles, which led all freshman and broke Ahmad Brooks Virginia freshman record. He also added three interceptions and one sack.