MURFREESBORO, Tenn. –  Reed Blankenship's career honors continue to roll in ahead of his final game as a Blue Raider, as the sixth-year senior was named Middle Tennessee's recipient of the C-USA Spirit of Service Award on Monday. 

C-USA's Spirit of Service Award is given to one student athlete from 11 member schools and is presented three times throughout the year. The honor recognizes student athletes with significant community service endeavors, good academic standing and participation in their sport.

Monday's honorees represent C-USA's fall sports: men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball.

A two-time first team All-C-USA selection at safety, Blankenship is the current all-time leading tackler in Blue Raider history with 415 total stops, good for fourth nationally among all active players. The Athens, Ala. native started all 12 games for the Blue Raiders this season, leading the team with 106 tackles to go with a career-best 10.0 TFLs, nine pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Blankenship made an impact in the community working with Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Reading Raiders, Camp Ability for underprivileged children and made visits to the VA Hospital.

Blankenship was named the Defensive Ironman of the Year at the team's award banquet over the weekend and has been invited to play in the 2022 East-West Shrine Game. He is one of three football players in C-USA to earn the Spirit of Service Award this fall, and one of two active Blue Raiders to earn this award during their career (Courtney Whitson, women's basketball, Winter 2021).

Fall 2021 Conference USA Spirit of Service Award winners

Chaz Neal - Florida Atlantic, Football
Ainsley Yanz - Louisiana Tech, Volleyball
Brian Cavicante - Marshall, Football
Reed Blankenship - Middle Tennessee, Football
Ryan Parncutt - Old Dominion, Women's Soccer
Nicole Lennon - Rice, Volleyball
Rhett Robinson - North Texas, Volleyball
Lindsey Legg - Southern Miss, Volleyball
Morgan Halliwill - UAB, Women's Soccer
Mia Ybarra - UTSA, Volleyball
Hallie Shelton - Western Kentucky, Volleyball