Blake Countess Blake Countess ( born c . 1993 ) is an American football defensive back for the Michigan Wolverines football team . He played high school football for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Montgomery County , Maryland , and played in the U . S . Army All - American Bowl . He committed to the University of Michigan in December 2010 and was rated as the top prospect in the school ' s recruiting class . High school . Countess attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney , Montgomery County , Maryland . As a junior in 2009 , he totaled over 50 tackles and 20 pass break ups . In May 2010 , he was nominated to play in the U . S . Army All - American Bowl high school football all - star game . As a senior in 2010 , Countess averaged 14 . 7 yards per catch , 35 yards per kickoff return and 22 . 9 yards per punt return for Good Counsel . Countess played both offense and defense for Good Counsel . His high school coach noted : " What you ' re going to get from him is he ' s a lockdown corner , started both ways for me , and if you don ' t keep an eye on him , he ' ll run a punt or kickoff back . He ' s a very reliable , dependable kid , a good character person . . . a good , solid citizen , great kid , and good football player . " Recruiting and Army All - American Game . During the 2010 recruiting season , Countess was pursued by many top collegiate football programs including Notre Dame , Stanford , Penn State , Michigan , Tennessee , Arkansas , Wisconsin , West Virginia , Pitt , Georgia Tech , Purdue , Maryland , Cincinnati , Louisville , Duke , Illinois , Virginia , and Wake Forest . In early December 2010 , Countess was selected as an Army All - American . At the U . S . Army All - American Bowl played on January 8 , 2011 , Countess did not allow a single pass completion to any receiver he covered , and the opposing quarterbacks chose not to throw many passes in his direction . University of Michigan . Commitment to Michigan . On December 17 , 2010 , Countess announced his oral commitment to attend the University of Michigan . He noted that , after visiting Ann Arbor , he " fell in love with Ann Arbor , the coaches , the school , the football legacy , the Big House , and it ' s just where I felt at home . " He was regarded as the top prospect in Michigan ' s 2011 recruiting class . ESPN . com called him " a natural cover guy with good size and speed , " and noted that he has " all the tools to be an outstanding player in college . " Three weeks after Countess committed to Michigan , the school ' s head coach Rich Rodriguez was fired . After the firing , Countess ' high school coach noted that the move was unlikely to effect Countess ' commitment . He noted that Countess was aware of rumors about Rodriguez being fired before giving his commitment and noted , " He said he picked Michigan because of the school . " He signed his letter of intent with Michigan in February 2011 . 2011 season . Countess saw his first substantial playing time for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team in the fourth quarter of a 28 - 7 victory over San Diego State on September 24 , 2011 . In less than one quarter , Countess accumulated seven tackles and broke up a pass in the endzone from Ryan Lindley . After the game , Michigan lineman Ryan Van Bergen noted that Countess has " a swagger about him . " The following week , Countess again drew praise for forcing a fumble and leading the team in tackles in a 58 - 0 win over Minnesota . He received the Next Level Player of the Week award from Matt Bracken of " The Baltimore Sun " . For the season , he earned 2011 Big Ten All - Freshman team recognition from ESPN . com and BTN . com as well as 2011 " TSN " first team All - Freshman and College Football News All - Freshman honorable mention honors .