Two years ago, safety Reed Blankenship didn’t get picked in the NFL Draft and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Monday, the NFL team announced it had signed Blankenship again – this time to a contract extension intended to keep the former West Limestone High School standout in Philadelphia through the 2025 season.

By signing Blankenship to a one-year extension, the Eagles headed off the defensive back becoming a restricted free agent after the 2024 season.

When Blankenship originally signed with Philadelphia, his three-year contract included $55,000 in guaranteed money. With his contract extension, NFL Network reported, Blankenship is guaranteed $3.935 million over the next two seasons. Another $1.375 million will be available in incentive bonuses.

Although he missed two games in 2023, Blankenship led Philadelphia with 113 tackles, 79 solo tackles and three interceptions.

After making the regular-season roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022, Blankenship played in four of the Eagles’ first 10 games, getting on the field for two defensive snaps and 53 special-teams plays.

Against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 27, 2022, Philadelphia safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson had to leave in the first quarter because of a rib injury. As Gardner-Johnson’s replacement, Blankenship made two tackles and intercepted Aaron Rodgers at the Eagles 18-yard line in his first full series on the field. Philadelphia went on to a 40-33 victory.

Blankenship played in five more regular-season and three playoff games, including Super Bowl LVII, to complete his rookie season. He started four of the games.

At West Limestone High School, Blankenship earned All-State recognition in his final two seasons and won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A Back of the Year Award in 2016. Blankenship completed his prep career with 3,192 rushing yards, 1,056 passing yards, 1,004 receiving yards, 46 touchdowns, 295 tackles and 10 interceptions. His prep career also included an AHSAA Class 4A boys’ basketball championship as a sophomore.

At Middle Tennessee, Blankenship settled in at safety. As a five-year starter, he became the Blue Raiders’ all-time tackles leader.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.