BAKER — Dakota Blackburn embodies a small school lineman.
Standing 5 feet, 11 inches and tipping the scales at 240 pounds, Blackburn, a rising senior on Baker School’s football team, isn’t likely to play college football.
But that doesn’t diminish what he has done as a two-year starter for the Gators’ offensive and defensive lines.
Blackburn has been a rock on Baker’s defensive front at tackle. And his versatility on offense has allowed him to start at left tackle and guard his first two seasons. This year, he’ll be at right tackle.
“A lot of people talk about our return skill guys, but the guys up front, like Bubba Ellis and like Dakota Blackburn, have been a part of two district championships,” Gator head Coach Matt Brunson said. “We’ve had over 3,000 yards rushing the last two years in a row, and Dakota has been a big part of that.
“He plays well on the offensive line and then he turns around and does a great job on the defensive line.”
‘HE NEVER GIVES GROUND’
In addition to his versatility, Blackburn is one of the strongest Gators, which allows him to pack some pop in his punches.
“He’s one of our best benchers, with about a 335 (pound) bench (press),” Brunson said. “He squats about 520 and cleans about 280. The strength levels he has achieved in the weight room, he does a great job carrying it over onto the field.
“He never gives ground. He knocks holes in the opponent’s defense and then he turns around and does a great job playing defense for us.”
Blackburn is quick to credit Brunson with his success.
“Coach Brunson is always pushing me in the weight room and he has just installed a great work ethic in me,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn has taken the transition from left tackle as a sophomore, to guard as a junior, and now right tackle as a senior in stride.
“On the inside, you have to think a lot more,” he said. “At tackle, you just have to use brute force almost. At tackle, you have to handle your guy because tackle is the key to this offense.
“Having to be on the outside is a personal responsibility that I take great pride in — being depended on like that.”
‘IT’S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY’
If Blackburn attended a larger school, he’d likely be limited to playing only offense or defense.
If that were the case, Blackburn knows where he’d choose to play.
“Oh man, defense I guess. It would have to be, just because I get to man up on some people,” he said. “When I hit you, you know I’m going to hit you, because I get to deliver the lick rather than receive the lick.”
When it comes to senior leadership, Brunson and the Gator coaching staff won’t have to look farther than Blackburn to get a ready, willing volunteer.
“I think it’s a huge responsibility (to be a leader),” Blackburn said, “not only as a team, but I take it personally upon myself, because I’ve been a part of that at two different positions. I feel great responsibility on myself to do as much as I can to help the team.
“Even when I graduate, I feel like I’m a still a part of this team. And when I go on, I hope it stays a very successful program.”
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker’s ‘rock’ transitions to right tackle in stride