Cru Blanchard is a class of 2021 offensive/defensive lineman out of Assumption High School in Napoleonville, Louisiana. He is 6’1” and weighs 330 pounds. He is very versatile on offense and defense, and is an excellent run blocker. He finishes off blocks well and is very quick for his size. Blanchard is also on the Track and Field team and power lifts at Assumption. He is also a State Champion for powerlifting. Blanchard has a 4.0 GPA, a 25 on his ACT, and is also a part of the National Honors Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
CHECK OUT BLANCHARD’S HIGHLIGHTS HERE
How do you feel about your season so far?
It got off to a rough start. We lost to E.D. White and that was a big game for us. We had to sit back and look at who we were. Then we beat Denham Springs, a 5A school, and that kind of showed us that people were scared of us. When we play with a lot of potential, we are unbeatable. That is how we are feeling right now. We also lost to St. James, but that didn’t really put a dent in our confidence going into the rest of the season. We feel really confident in what we have going on right now and everyone is on the same page. It’s really fun to play for a team like this.
How and when did you get into playing football?
I got into football when I was around four years old. That was the first year that I could play regular football. My dad showed me a helmet and was like, “Hey, you like this? Put in on, we’re going to practice.” I’ve been playing ever since.
What’s your favorite thing about your position?
Right now I play offensive line, but I’ve played defense my entire life. I’ll talk about my favorite things in both. Defensive line is about how much chaos I can cause in the least amount of time. I think it’s pretty fun to wreck an offense. On the flip side, it’s how much trouble can I stop from happening. I have to develop this fatherly instinct with my running back and quarterback when I am on the offensive line. I don’t want them to get touched.
Are there any certain goals you’re trying to reach this season? If so, how is that going?
We have three goals as a team. One is to win District, the next is to get past the second round of the playoffs, and our last goal is to win State. We are working towards our first goal right now, we have three more District games left. We are all ready to go to war and take it one game at a time.
What would you say are your main strengths on the field?
I would say that I am the strongest guy that anyone will face. I spend countless hours in the weight room trying to turn myself into a monster. I know that if I am stronger than you, I will win every time. Another strength is my mindset. It might be a little violent, but I want to make my opponent quit and never play again. If he lines up in front of me, I want him to turn his pads in the next day.
How do you think your coaches and teammates would describe you?
My teammates would call me intense. I also go 100% on them when it comes to reps so that when we get in the game, it is easy. If I am giving it everything I have every time, then I’ll be prepared for the game. My coaches would say I am a perfectionist. They see that I do all of the little things many times and until I get it right. I think they appreciate that a little bit.
What has football taught you about life?
I always say that football is the closest thing to life that you can get without actually living it. I am a three sport athlete and football has taught me the most out of any of them. You have your ups and downs, but you just have to learn how to manage those things. You’re going to be in a lot of pain and hurting, and so are your brothers. It’s all up to you and how you go about things. That is the outcome of the game. Just like in life, sometimes you have to take it one step at a time. Just like you take football one play at a time. Give all you got while doing what you’re doing and it’ll lead to a victory in the end.
What’s your favorite thing about playing football in Louisiana?
I love the competition. I might be a little biased but I think football is the best in Louisiana. One week, you’ll see someone who runs a 4.5 on the offensive or defensive line. The next week, you’ll see a big guy who bruises. They have every type of player you can see. It’s really fun to prepare for each type of player you will see. I love all the talent and preparation.
Are there any college or NFL athletes that you look up to or try to model your play style after?
When I am on defense, I like to watch Geno Atkins of the Bengals. I really like how he uses his hands. He is a technician and a strong guy. He uses that to his advantage like I do. When it comes to offense, I am new to that so I just try to dominate people.
