.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Bears' Blanchard believes he has talent to thrive at nickelback
Travon Blanchard believes he has the talent and savvy to make Baylor’s nickelback position his own.
After watching Ahmad Dixon, Sam Holl and Collin Brence play there the last few years, Blanchard wants to up the ante.
“I don’t want to be like them, I want to be better than them,” Blanchard said. “They set a good example for me and I just have to step out there and produce.”
Blanchard and senior middle linebacker Grant Campbell are the only two new starters on a veteran defense that helped the Bears win their second straight Big 12 championship last season.
Moving into Brence’s old spot, Blanchard got some experience as a backup last season, as he played in all 13 games and collected 31 tackles and an interception.
“They had me coming in on third down situations and making a play from there,” Blanchard said. “I got a few snaps and some confidence under my belt, and it helped a lot.”
With his size and athleticism, the 6-2, 195-pound sophomore believes he has the ideal frame and skill set to excel at nickelback. Baylor has dubbed it the Bear position.
(h/t Waco Tribune)
