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 | Hometown:
Plantation, Fla.
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| High School:
Plantation
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| Height / Weight:
6-2 / 205
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| Position:
Free Safety
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Was Miami's vocal leader and the team's most emotional player . . . An excellent safety in both run support and coverage, Blades was one of the nation's hardest hitting defensive backs . . . Provided his teammates with an inspirational leader, having played through several injuries during his Miami career . . . . Latest example of Blades' tenacity is his ability to overcome a torn bicep muscle suffered against Louisiana Tech, an injury that did not prevent him from starting and playing the balance of the team's remaining four games of the regular season . . . The latest in an impressive lineage from the Blades family, following in the footsteps of older brothers Bennie (1987 Thorpe Award winner) and Brian (former NFL receiver) . . . Graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology in December, 2000.
2000 (SENIOR): Racked up 87 tackles (46 solos) to rank second on the team for the regular season . . . Named First-Team All-BIG EAST strong safety by the league's coaches . . . Was named the winner of the Hard Hitter Award by the Miami coaches, his second consecutive year to win the award . . . A significant factor in a secondary that produced 23 interceptions (second in NCAA Division 1-A) and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 16 tackles in UM's 41-21 win over No. 2 Virginia Tech . . . Also earned BIG EAST Player of the Week for his effort against the Hokies . . . Preseason honorable-mention All-America by Street & Smith's . . . Preseason first-team All-BIG EAST selection by Street & Smith's and CBS Sportsline . . . Preseason second-team All-BIG EAST selection by The Sporting News . . . Rated as the nation's No. 5 safety by Lindy's . . . Member of the UM defensive backfield that ranked No. 1 in the nation by The Sporting News . . . Has 29 career starts, including 28 consecutive games at UM . . . Registered 10 tackles against McNeese State . . . Had his third career interception at Washington, a theft that set up Miami's final touchdown . . . Had nine tackles at West Virginia, recovered one fumble and had a pass break-up . . . Totaled eight tackles against Florida State, including four solo . . . Had six tackles at Temple . . . Left the Louisiana Tech game with an arm injury in the first quarter . . . Had three tackles and two pass break-ups against Louisiana Tech . . . Recovered from that injury to start and record a team-high 16 tackles against Virginia Tech, including one for loss on QB Michael Vick . . . That performance earned him national acclaim . . . Registered two tackles (both solos) against Pittsburgh . . . Had eight tackles at Syracuse in Miami's 26-0 shutout of the Orangemen, the first home shutout for SU in seven seasons . . . Closed his regular season and his Miami home career with a monster 17-tackle (nine solos) performance in Miami's 52-6 win over Boston College.
1999 (JUNIOR): Named to the All-BIG EAST second team...placed third on the team with 89 total tackles...his 37 solo stops were fifth best, while his 52 assisted tackles ranked third...had double-digit tackles in five of 11 games he appeared in...against Penn State recorded 10 tackles (6 solo)...at Florida State, totaled a season-best 13 tackles (a season-high 6 solo), forced two fumbles and recovered one...recorded his third consecutive double-digit tackle performance and tied his season-best with 13 tackles in UM's comeback victory at Boston College...tallied a season-high eight assisted tackles against Eagles and had two tackles for loss...recorded eight tackles against West Virginia (5 solo)...recorded his lone interception of the season at Pittsburgh, returned for 17 yards...had his fourth double-digit tackle performance at Virginia Tech with 10 and one pass break-up…recorded a career-best 20 tackles, including 14 assisted, against Syracuse and had one pass break-up…ended the regular season with four tackles against Temple…missed start against Florida A&M because of injury.
1998 (SOPHOMORE): Emerged to start the last seven games at free safety…82 tackles was second among defensive backs and fourth on the team…also ranked second among DBs and fourth overall with 42 solo stops…registered first collegiate interception at Rutgers returning the pick-off 60 yards for a touchdown…thwarted a fourth-quarter UCLA scoring drive by forcing and recovering a fumble at the Miami 13-yard line…fumble came on the tail-end of a Cade McNown to Brian Poli-Dixon 54-yard pass play and led to a UM touchdown drive, making the score 38-35 UCLA…registered pass break-ups against Pittsburgh, Rutgers and East Tennessee State.
1997 (FRESHMAN): Suffered a torn lateral collateral ligament to his left knee during the first day of fall practice in full pads sidelining him for the year...entered fall camp as the second-team strong safety behind Dennis Scott.
1996 (REDSHIRT): Was a member of the Hurricane scout team.
HIGH SCHOOL: Plantation...tabbed first-team Miami Herald and Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel All-County...Florida Athletic Coaches Association first-team selection...second-team All-State...two-year starter at free safety, kick and punt returner...tallied 121 tackles and five interceptions during senior season...led team to Class 6A semifinals with a 12-1 record and No. 4 final ranking....returned one INT for touchdown and had 17 pass break-ups...caused four fumbles and recovered two, returning one for touchdown...named team's Defensive Player of the Year... tied team record with 19 tackles in one game...coached by Frank Helper.
PERSONAL: Born 3/19/77...criminology major...full name is Alfonso Christopher Blades...chose Miami over Florida State, Ohio State and Nebraska...son of Frederick and Rosa Blades.
BLADES' CAREER STATISTICS
| Year | Ttl | UT | AT | TFL | Sk-Yds | FF-FR | INT-Yds | PBU |
| 2000 | 87 | 46 | 41 | 3 | 1-5 | 0-1 | 1-1 | 4 |
| 1999 | 89 | 37 | 52 | 2 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 1-17 | 3 |
| 1998 | 82 | 42 | 40 | 0 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-60 | 3 |
| Total | 258 | 125 | 133 | 5 | 1-5 | 2-4 | 3-78 | 10 |
Blades' 2000 Game-by-Game Statistics
| Opponent | Ttl | UT | AT | TFL | Sk-Yds | FF-FR | INT-Yds | PBU |
| McNeese State | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Washington | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1 |
| West Virginia | 9 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1 |
| Rutgers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Florida State | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Temple | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Louisiana Tech | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 |
| Virginia Tech | 16 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Syracuse | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Boston College | 17 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Total | 87 | 46 | 41 | 3 | 1-5 | 0-1 | 1-1 | 4 |
