Junior Al Blades Jr. is ready to live up to being a legacy player as the top cornerback for the Miami football team in 2020.
Junior legacy Al Blades Jr. enters the 2020 Miami football season as the top cornerback. Blades led the Hurricanes CBs with 35 tackles in 2019 was second with two interceptions and led the returnees for the Miami football team with six pass breakups last season. Blades is slated to start at CB with junior D.J. Ivey in 2020.
Blades has played in all 26 during his first two seasons on the Miami football team. As a freshman in 2018 Blades played primarily on special teams. As a sophomore in 2019, Blades started seven games with Ivey starting the other six opposite Trajan Bandy who is trying to make the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent.
Blades and Ivey need to be the leaders on what is a young and inexperienced CB group behind them. Sophomores Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams return after playing primarily on special teams in 2019. Miami added CBs Isaiah Dunson and Marcus Clarke in the 2020 class to add depth.
Blades spoke last month about the CB unit for Miami this season. Communication and connection, especially during games were stressed by Blades. There was often breakdown last season that caused blown coverages despite Miami having the nation’s 18th best pass defense nationally in 2019.
"“I think that is a big part of our defense, is communication,…Coming off last year, it was our first time being all together and when we came back in the spring, for the little bit that we did, I could really feel the growth and connection after playing a season with each other.”It is kind of at the point where we can just read each other and build a connection to where we can communicate without [verbally] communicating in the game. I think that is a big part of our defense, is communication.Coming off last year, it was our first time being all together and when we came back in the spring, for the little bit that we did, I could really feel the growth and connection after playing a season with each other.It is kind of at the point where we can just read each other and build a connection to where we can communicate without [verbally] communicating in the game. We are getting very mature with going against different things and seeing different looks from the quarterback.We are doing a good job of once we see something the first time, we learn from it and talk to each other and we are growing really fast. Anyone can have my job, so I attack it every day like I’m just another guy, which I am…If my time comes, then it is time for me to step up.”"
Blades had an outstanding season in 2019 with the potential to be a shutdown CB in 2020. If Blades can continue to lock down opposing WRs when targeted Miami should improve their pass defense in 2020. The Hurricanes ranked 88th with five pass plays allowed of 60 yards or more. That can demoralize a defense.
All of the Miami CBs return in 2020 except Bandy. The only experienced CBs are Blades and Ivey. The juniors will lead the CBs with senior Amari Carter, redshirt junior Bubba Bolden and junior Gurvan Hall also providing experience in the Miami secondary this season. The talent is there for this to be a very good secondary.
Miami will be tested often in the first month of the season. UAB wide receiver Austin Watkins averaged 19.2 yards per reception in 2019, the Lousiville pitch and catch combination of QB Micale Cunningham and WR Tutu Atwell burned Miami often last season, FSU has WR Tamorrion Terry and Clemson is the following game.
If Miami can win the first three games and stay competitive against the Tigers the Miami secondary and pass defense can be one of the best in the nation led by Blades. An outstanding 2020 season and potentially 2021 if Blades stays would cement his own legacy in the best family to play for the Miami football program.