Al Blades Jr.

Al Blades, Jr. (born October 24, 1999) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami and Duke.

High school career
Blades Jr attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He committed to the University of Miami to play college football.

Miami
As a true freshman in 2018, Blades Jr. recorded 13 tackles in 13 games. He played mainly on special teams.

In 2019, Blades Jr. recorded 36 tackles and 2 interceptions in 13 games in which he started 7 of those.

In 2020, he recorded 29 tackles and two interceptions. At the end of the season, Blades Jr. was diagnosed with myocarditis.

Duke
On December 12, 2022, Blades had announced that he was transferring to the Duke Blue Devils.

Professional career
Blades signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024.

Personal life
Blades is the son of the late American football safety Al Blades. He is the nephew of former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brian Blades and former Detroit Lions safety Bennie Blades, and cousin of H. B. Blades, who played 4 seasons for the Washington Redskins in the NFL.