Al Blades Jr.

UPDATES

Week 1:Duke opened up with a win against Clemson 28-7. Al recorded 3 tackles 2 unassisted and 1 assisted. He also had 1 QB hurry.

Week 0: DNP

HISTORY — from college profile

2023: Graduate transfer from the University of Miami where he played in 49 career games with 15 starts.

—at University of Miami—

Five-year member (2018-19-20-21-22) and four-year letterwinner (2018-19-20-22) of the football program at the University of Miami ... in 49 career games (15 starts), registered 93 tackles, 1.5 TFL, four INTs, 14 PBUs, and one blocked punt … registered a career-high eight tackles in the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech … tallied four career INTs (two in both 2019 and 2020) … participated in three bowl games (2018 New Era Pinstripe, 2019 Walk-On’s Independence, and 2020 Cheez-It) … logged one interception against Central Michigan and Louisville in 2019 and Louisville and Florida State in 2020 … blocked one punt against Louisville in 2019 …

High school: Played two years at University School under coach Daniel Luque and two years at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)  under coach Roger Harriott ... consensus four-star prospect by ESPN.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … rated as No. 67 overall recruit in the country by ESPN.com … listed as eighth-best cornerback in country and 20th-best prospect in state of Florida by ESPN.com … charted the No. 12 cornerback, No. 21 player in Florida and 97th-prospect regardless of position by 247Sports.com … rated 10th-best cornerback, 13th player in Florida and 59 overall prospect by Rivals.com … in 34 career high school varsity games, totaled over 140 career tackles, including 98 solo stops … won the 2016 Florida Class 7A State Championship with St. Thomas Aquinas … selected to 2018 Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla and participated in The Opening event in summer of 2017.

PERSONAL

Born October 24, 1999 ... graduated from Miami in December 2022, with a degree in public relations and a minor in theatre arts ... enrolled in Duke’s continuing studies program … Son of Katisha Rose and the late Al Blades as well as Brian and Tisha Blades … father lettered three seasons in football at the University of Miami (1998-99-2000), twice earned All-Big East honors as a safety in 1999 and 2000 and played professionally for two seasons with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers (2001-02) … uncle, Brian Blades, lettered four seasons in football at Miami (1984-85-86-87), helped the Hurricanes to a National Championship and a Fiesta Bowl win in 1987, graduated second all-time in career touchdowns with 15, was drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks and spent 11 seasons with the organization (1988-98), compiling 581 receptions for 7,620 yards and 34 TDs in 156 career games while earning Pro Bowl honors in 1989 … uncle, Bennie Blades, lettered three seasons in football at Miami (1985-86-87), earned First Team All-America honors in both 1986 and 1987, received the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s best defensive back in 1987, led Miami to the national championship and a 12-0 record in 1987, ended his Miami career as the school’s all-time leader with 19 interceptions.