Several Miami football players are returning from injury after missing all or most of the 2021 season. Defensive back Al Blades Jr., Guard Jalen Rivers, offensive lineman John Campbell quarterback Jake Garcia and safety Brian Balom are among the Miami players participating in spring practice who missed all or some of the 2021 season.
Several other Miami players who were unable to play through the 2021 season are expected to return for training camp in August but are out this spring. Those players include running back Don Chaney Jr. Linebacker Sam Brooks who has struggled with injuries throughout his career is also among the players out this spring.
The future for Brooks is uncertain according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald and other sources. Brooks and 2019 signing classmate Avery Huff have been outperformed by other LBs during their tenure. Brooks, Tyler Johnson and Chase Smith are all out this spring for unspecified reasons.
Blades Jr. returns after playing in only four games in 2021. Blades has been a CB throughout his Miami career. New Co-defensive coordinator Kevin Steele stated that Blades has worked in at the star position during the first week of spring practice. The star is replacing striker as the hybrid LB/DB for Miami in 2022.
Blades has 80 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his four seasons with Miami. Blades has 14 career starts. With 12 games played in the last two seasons, this spring will be important for Blades to get back into playing shape and get acclimated to the new Steele defense.