‘It gives us chills.’ Career CB Al Blades Jr. moves to safety like his late Hurricanes dad
When former Miami Hurricane and longtime NFL receiver Brian Blades saw his nephew, career cornerback Al Blades Jr., playing safety in last weekend’s scrimmage, a “strange, touching feeling” washed over him.
“Now they have him at safety,’’ Brian, 57, said, “Just like his dad. It has come full circle.’’
Al Blades Jr. is a 22-year-old survivor, leader, battler — and talent, though he’s had some hefty challenges along the way, including the death of his former Hurricanes standout safety father when he was 3.
And now he’s back for one more round.
In his fifth and likely final season with the Miami Hurricanes, Blades, a star corner from his days at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas when he signed as a member of the #Storm18 recruiting class, Blades persevered through two years of physical and emotional challenges. First came COVID-19 in November 2020 that caused myocarditis — inflammation of the heart wall. Then came lingering groin problems that resulted in sports hernia surgery on Sept. 28, 2021.
This past spring, when Blades was finally healed, Miami coaches asked him to take on another challenge. After safety Gurvan Hall left the program late in the season and subsequent injuries affected depth, coaches had him try safety during the spring and played him there for part of the spring game.
“The thing about me is I can play anywhere on the defense and [defensive backs] Coach [Jahmile] Addae feels the same way,’’ the 6-1, 194-pound Blades said early in the week. “I’m smart enough to learn multiple positions. I love football, no matter where I’m at. Safety, corner, nickel, put me at D-line. I don’t care. It feels good to be able to just go. I’m going to fight for a spot. Wherever they put me I’ll just go fight.’’
Blades legacy
Brian Blades became a second father to Al Jr. after his baby brother Al Sr. — a 1999 and 2000 All-Big East safety who wore No. 7, just like Al Jr. — died in 2003 after celebrating his 26th birthday. The car he was in plunged into a Miami-Dade canal after striking a bridge abutment and Al Sr. and driver Martel Johnson drowned.
Brian’s brother Bennie, the dean of discipline at Central Charter School in Lauderdale Lakes, is a former UM safety who won the 1987 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and later was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Brian’s son, Brian II, is a redshirt freshman cornerback at FIU.
“He’s had a rough two years,’’ Bennie said of Al Jr. during spring ball. “He’s doing a lot better.’’
The Blades brothers, as well as anyone who knew Al Sr., know the similarities between father and son are uncanny, though Al Sr. was much louder and attention-drawing than his son. “Every time he does something it reminds us of his father and it gives us chills,’’ Brian said.
“Ed Reed will tell you this, too,’’ Bennie said. “They have the same demeanor. They have the same zest for competition. That’s one of the things I love about my nephew. He doesn’t back down from a challenge.’’
Brian said his nephew initially “wanted to stay at corner, but he’s one of those kids who thinks, ‘Whatever I can to do help the team, I’ll do,’ and one of those athletes who can adjust.
“He’s healthy and he feels good now. He’s just ready to get back on the field and ball out.’’
All-American
Before he got COVID, Blades, a high school Under Armour All-American, played in all 13 games in 2018 as a freshman and started seven games in 2019. He had 36 tackles his second season and ranked second on the team with two interceptions. He also had six pass breakups and blocked a punt.
UM coach Mario Cristobal said on Thursday that Blades has “done a great job.’’
“We call like it is and that’s the way it should be,’’ Cristobal said. “That’s your greatest form of respect to a player, to a program. Al Blades has done a great job at playing just about everything, and on special teams as well. We find ourselves now in a position where we have the ability to play a good number of guys back there.
“He’s been really good off the field as well as a leader in the weight room. Al’s a really good communicator. He understands football. Obviously, it’s been in his blood lines for a long, long time. Everyone is super proud of him and super excited for him and what he’s going to bring this year.”
Blades will be part of a rotation that includes expected starters James Williams and Kamren Kinchens and fellow elite safety Avantae Williams. At this point he’s also had experience playing the hybrid DB/linebacker star position and nickelback.
“I’m fast enough to play corner, smart enough to play safety,’’ he said. “We’re all in a class of our own. A lot of guys in our secondary really take pride in building their own repertoire, being their own self. Everyone is just trying to be the best they can.
“Wherever they want me to go I’ll go.’’
This story was originally published August 27, 2022 at 3:52 PM.
