Al Blades Jr.

Last updated

Al Blades Jr.
Al Blades (53917924230) (cropped).jpg
Blades with the New York Jets in 2024
Personal information
Born: (1999-10-24) October 24, 1999 (age 24)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: St. Thomas Aquinas High School
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
College: Miami (2018–2022)
Duke (2023)
Position: Safety
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Al Blades Jr. (born October 24, 1999) is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Miami and Duke.

Contents

Early life

Blades Jr attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He committed to the University of Miami to play college football. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

College career

Miami

As a true freshman in 2018, Blades Jr. recorded 13 tackles in 13 games. He played mainly on special teams.

In 2019, Blades Jr. recorded 36 tackles and 2 interceptions in 13 games in which he started 7 of those.

In 2020, he recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions. At the end of the season, Blades Jr. was diagnosed with myocarditis. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Duke

On December 12, 2022, Blades had announced that he was transferring to the Duke Blue Devils. [19]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+3⁄8 in
(1.84 m)		194 lb
(88 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		4.57 s1.56 s2.57 s4.17 s6.86 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		8 reps
All values from Pro Day [20]

Blades signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. [21] He was waived on August 27. [22]

Personal life

Blades is the son of the late American football safety Al Blades. He is the nephew of former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brian Blades and former Detroit Lions safety Bennie Blades, and cousin of H. B. Blades, who played four seasons for the Washington Redskins in the NFL.

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References

  1. ↑ Hamilton, Gerry (June 19, 2017). "Blades Jr. honors late father by choosing Miami". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Commit Scouting Report: Al Blades Jr". InsideTheU.
  3. ↑ Staff Writer. "Recruiting: Al Blades Jr. honors late father with Miami Hurricanes commitment". The Palm Beach Post.
  4. ↑ Furones, David. "Al Blades Jr. honors late father with Miami commitment". sun-sentinel.com.
  5. ↑ "4-Star CB Al Blades Jr. Commits To Miami". June 19, 2017.
  6. ↑ Underwood, Cameron J. (June 18, 2017). "Welcome to the U, Al Blades Jr". State of The U.
  7. ↑ Underwood, Cameron J. (December 20, 2017). "CB Al Blades Jr. signs with the Miami Hurricanes, which was basically cemented at birth". State of The U.
  8. ↑ Furones, David. "Al Blades Jr. honors late father with Miami commitment". chicagotribune.com.
  9. ↑ Daniels, Tim. "4-Star CB Al Blades Jr. Commits to Miami Hurricanes over Tennessee, More". Bleacher Report.
  10. ↑ "Canes' Blades has myocarditis, done for season". ESPN.com. December 8, 2020.
  11. ↑ Coleman, Madeline. "Miami's Al Blades Jr. to Miss Rest of Season After Myocarditis Diagnosis". Sports Illustrated.
  12. ↑ Furones, David. "Hurricanes react to Al Blades Jr.'s myocarditis diagnosis; face depth issues at CB". sun-sentinel.com.
  13. ↑ "College football COVID update: Miami's Al Blades Jr. out for season with myocarditis". USA TODAY.
  14. ↑ D'Angelo, Tom. "Miami Hurricanes: Manny Diaz hopeful Al Blades Jr. will make complete recovery from myocarditis". The Palm Beach Post.
  15. ↑ "Miami DB Al Blades Jr. out for rest of the season with myocarditis". sports.yahoo.com.
  16. ↑ Ciccotelli, Jenna. "Miami Safety Al Blades Jr. Out for Season with Myocarditis". Bleacher Report.
  17. ↑ "Miami Herald".
  18. ↑ "Miami DB Al Blades Jr. Reveals He Has Season-Ending Heart Issue".
  19. ↑ Davis, Spenser (December 12, 2022). "Former Miami DB Al Blades Jr. announces transfer to ACC program". Saturday Road. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Al Blades Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  21. ↑ Greenberg, Ethan; Pullano, John (May 3, 2024). "Jets Sign 17 Undrafted Free Agents". NewYorkJets.com.
  22. ↑ Greenberg, Ethan (August 27, 2024). "Final Cuts | Jets Move 37 to Get Their Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com.


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