When Republic football coach Wes Beachler talks about linebacker Blake Fanning, he talks about his understanding of the game.
“I don’t know that I’ve had very many young men with a higher football IQ than he’s had,” says coach Wes Beachler. “He just understands the game real well (and) understands what the coaches are wanting done. That’s a compliment to him and his obvious interest in the game.”
That understanding of football has helped Fanning earn the opportunity to play college football at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He’ll join longtime friend and teammate Jake Smith in a Raven uniform next fall.
But beyond Fanning’s approach to the game, Beachler is even more impressed with Fanning’s approach toward life.
“The best thing about Blake is the way he interacts with some young people who maybe aren’t as fortunate or blessed as he is around the school,” Beachler says. “That’s the stuff that’s going to take (him) a long way in life.”
When Fanning hits the field in college, he says he’s looking forward to a higher level of competition, and he knows that will require even more work from him to succeed.
“The work ethic that those athletes put in at the next level, it’s a little bit higher. It’s something I’m looking forward to,” he says.
Fanning joins Republic quarterback Jake Smith at Benedictine, where the two plan to room together.
“It’s going to make the transition to college a lot easier, living with someone I’ve grown up with pretty much my whole life, been best friends with, played a lot of football and basketball with,” says Fanning. “It’s going to make the transition easier. I feel like it’s going to make playing a lot more fun (and) make it a good experience.”
Fanning led the Tigers last year with 91.5 tackles from his linebacker position. He also had four sacks and three interceptions. Beachler says that all comes from Fanning’s uncanny knack to find the football.
“(He’s) not the strongest, not the biggest, not the fastest, but he gets to the ball, and that’s the most important thing,” Beachler says.
Fanning says his biggest takeaway from playing at Republic is “work ethic. That’s one thing that’s been drilled into me from the time I started football. It’s one thing they’ve put in me in high school, is work ethic: discipline, weight room, many different aspects go into on-field performance.”