Will Edwards

Will Blackmon

Will Edwards Blackmon (born October 27, 1984 in Cranston, Rhode Island) is an American football cornerback/ return specialist who currently plays in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft (115th pick overall). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles.

High School

Blackmon earned first team All-America honors from USA Today and Parade as a senior at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island. He was also named Rhode Island's player of the year by Gatorade. He garnered all-city honors three and all-state honors twice during his high school career. In 2002, Blackmon played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College

2002

One of four true freshmen to earn playing time
Recorded 29 tackles playing as a DB
Saw significant action on special teams as a kick returner

2003

Recorded 64 tackles, 10 passes defensed, and 4 interceptions as a DB
Earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a game against the University of Connecticut

2004

Recorded 46 tackles, 1 pass defensed, and three interceptions as a DB
Amassed over 1000 return yards on special teams
Earned All-Big East Second Team honors

2005

Moved his primary position from DB to WR
Led team with 51 receptions for 763 yards
Earned preseason second-team All-America honors
Selected to participate in the Senior Bowl
119 yards shy of being DI-A all time kickoff returner

Professional career

Blackmon had a 57 yard punt-return touchdown and a fumble-return touchdown as the Packers wrapped up the NFC North title with a 38-7 win on December 10, 2007 over Oakland. They were the first and second touchdowns of his career. He became just the fourth player in NFL history to accomplish the feat of a kick and fumble return in the same game, and the first since 1974. In 9 games, he recorded 4 solo tackles and a pass deflected. Blackmon has had injury trouble, having suffered two breaks of his left foot which kept him sidelined for much of the past two years.

In the first game of his 2008 season with the Packers, Blackmon returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. He was later named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played Sept 4-8.