Cherokee County High School’s Coty Blanchard has verbally committed to play baseball at Mississippi State University. While this news may come as a shock to many, this versatile athlete, who has excelled in baseball, basketball and football, has decided to concentrate on one sport, which has a good possibility of propelling him into the pros.

Coty’s decision may come as a surprise to many, especially since he has received football inquiries from Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, JSU, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss., Middle Tennessee., Georgia, Troy, Chattanooga, Samford, the Army and the Air Force, according to reports.

Blanchard, according to reports, made the commitment this past Thursday, July 23. His father, Fran Blanchard, said Mississippi State approached him approximately a month and a half ago after watching him play in the East-West All Star game. An SEC coach came to the game, which is almost unheard of in high school play.

As a junior shortstop/pitcher last season, Blanchard had 21 hits in 54 at-bats for a .389 batting average. He had five doubles, a home run and 19 RBIs. Blanchard also scored 17 runs and had eight stolen bases.

On the mound, Blanchard went 1-2 with three saves in 25 innings. He gave up 17 hits, nine walks and 10 runs (eight earned) with 27 strikeouts.

As a quarterback in football last year, Blanchard threw for 2,402 yards and 26 touchdowns in leading the Warriors to a 14-1 record and Class 4A state runner-up finish. He also rushed for 978 yards on 164 carries with 13 touchdowns.

Blanchard is the third Cherokee County High School athlete to commit in the off-season.

Gabriel Chambers committed to play football for Arkansas State and Desmond Brown has decided to play football at Clemson.

“Mississippi State is the pinnacle of baseball,” said Fran Blanchard. “Coty has worked for this. They see him as being a major league player.”

Blanchard commended Coach Butch Thompson and staff on the excellent baseball program at Mississippi State.

“Last year, they (Mississippi State) had 18 nationally-televised games,” said Blanchard. “That is awesome. You will see what you’ve got to do to get to the next level. You will see it every single day.”

At one time, Blanchard said, Coty contemplated playing both football and baseball at Jacksonville State University. Blanchard praised the coaching staff at JSU and said it will be difficult informing them about Coty’s decision.

While Coty, to date, has shown little, if any, difficulty balancing baseball, football and basketball and the workouts involved with each, Fran notes “Coty is a three-sports guy. He could easily play college basketball. But I talked to a guy from Mississippi State. He said there is no telling how good this guy could be just concentrating on one sport.”

Coty, Blanchard said, has been working for this moment since he was in kindergarten, playing travel ball before it was popular. At the age of nine, he joined the Alabama Rockets.

“He gave up a lot as a kid,” said Fran.

“He has put his time in. It made these guys better players. It is a long road, it is expensive, but the pay-off comes when you have Mississippi State come knocking at your door. It is now his (Coty’s) job to take it to the next level if he wants to be in the big leagues.”

“It was a tough decision,” said Coty. “But Mississippi State has such a great program. I was impressed with the coaching staff, the technology, the atmosphere was overwhelming. It is just a great place to play baseball.”

Blanchard said he looks forward to concentrating on one sport.

“That will really help me out,” said Blanchard. “I’ve never played just one sport. I’m eager to see what I can do. I know I can be a great player for Mississippi State.”

Blanchard credits High School Football Coach Tripp Curry, Baseball Coach Jim Garmany and others who coached him growing up for the work ethic and values they instilled into him.

“My dad has been great,” said Blanchard. “He has been a great coach and mentor throughout my baseball career.”

Cherokee County High School Varsity Baseball Coach Jim Garmany shared his views on Coty’s decision. Coty has played for his team since he was in the eighth grade.

“I think he made a good decision,” said Garmany. “Mississippi State is the pinnacle of what baseball is and he deserves it.”

“He is a hard worker and has a good feel for the game,” said Garmany.

“I think he is going to have an immediate impact with Mississippi State. He is the kind of guy you want on your baseball team. He does his job and does it well. He is a good leader.”

“I’m proud of him and tickled to death that he is getting this opportunity to play at the next level,” said Garmany. “I can’t say enough about him. I know he will do well.”

“He is a heck of an athlete,” said Kevin Saucier, area scout with the Major League Scouting Bureau who watched Coty practice with the Atlanta Braves a few weeks ago.

“He can run, he can throw. He is probably one of the better athletes I’ve seen coming up in Alabama.”

“I haven’t seen him play football,” said Saucier. “But what I have seen in baseball, he’s got some real talent and ability as an athlete. I can assure you the pro scouts will be in to see him next spring.”

The July 22 Braves workout, Saucier said, was by invitation only.

“For the past month, I heard there was a talented kid from this area,” said Saucier. “They wanted me to find some from this area to attend the workout. And I was pleased with what I saw.”

Saucier felt Coty’s verbal commitment to Mississippi State was a wise move, which will fee him up to concentrate on the next move of his career.

“Next time, he will have to deal with the major league clubs,” said Saucier. “He’ll have to see what he wants to do when the draft comes around. He’s got some ability. I will say that.”

“Mississippi State has a great program,” said Cherokee County High School Warrior Football Coach Tripp Curry.

“We think Coty can excel in baseball. We are tickled to see him get a chance to play for them. Mississippi State has put a lot of good players into the pros.”

Coach Curry also describes Coty as a pleasure to coach.

“He is there at practice every day and ready to work,” notes Curry.

“You never have to stay on him to get him to do something. He is a fun guy to coach and just a fun guy to be around.”

“We will follow Coty in whatever he wants to do and just hope he has fun doing it,” said Curry.

“We will support Coty in whatever decision he wants to make.”