Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era

• 19 interceptions second in Miami history
• 10 interceptions 1986 tied for first single-season Miami history
• 1987 Jim Thorpe Award
• Two time Consensus All-American 1986 and 1987

Blades was the fourth two-time All-American in Miami history. Blades was a first-team All-American in 1986 and 1987. In 1986 Blades set the Miami single-season interception record with 10 that he now shares with Sean Taylor. Blades held the Miami career interception record with 19 until it was broken by Ed Reed.

Blade was a multi-dimensional player who had 286 career tackles. As a senior, Blades was a leader on the Miami defense during a national championship season. Blades finished first nationally in 1987 in interceptions per game. Blades is the patriarch of arguably the greatest family in Miami football history.

Blades played with his brother Brian who is top 10 in Miami in TD receptions. Their younger brother Al played with Miami in the early 2000s and their nephew Al Jr. played for Miami before transferring to Duke during the 2023 offseason. Blades’ son HB played at Pittsburgh and four seasons in the NFL for Washington.

The Detroit Lions selected Blades third overall in the 1988 NFL Draft. Blades played nine seasons for Detroit and his final year in Seattle. Blades was inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. Another foundational player, Blades was critical in the success Miami had under Johnson.