Blades has four trips and two leaders

It's often difficult to pick the best players from Florida, possibly the nation's top producer of elite football players. But it goes without much debate that H.B. Blades, a young man who carries his last name well, is one of the top players in the Sunshine State.

As the son of former Miami Hurricanes star Bennie Blades and the nephew of Al and Brian Blades, he's been in the spotlight since he began playing organized football. One might consider him a lock for the local Hurricanes, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

"Southern Cal, Virginia, and Pittsburgh are my favorites right now. I've also been offered by Kansas State and Michigan," said the 6-foot-0, 230-pounder. "Pitt's doing real good right now and Virginia has a young team. I think they're up and coming and I could help out right away. I was talking to coach Groh the other night actually. I'm supposed to be going to visit December 13-15. I also talked to Coach Golden, the linebackers coach.

"Our relationship is real close. They call and we joke around a little bit and we talk about how my week and my game went. We also talk about them and how their week and game went. They talk about how I would fit into their defensive system and everything like that."

So are Southern Cal, Pitt, and Virginia the only schools that Blades is looking at?

"I also like Kansas State and Auburn. I know a couple of players on their teams and I'm close with them, so when I go and visit them I'm around the campus a lot. I have visited Virginia, Southern Cal, Kansas State, Michigan, and Florida.

"I haven't had any official visits yet. My first official visit will be to Southern California (Nov. 29). I have Pittsburgh (Dec. 6), Virginia (Dec. 13), and Kansas State (Jan. 10) set up. I'm going to go with those four and see what happens.

"I have two that are neck-and-neck, Virginia and Pitt, because both of them have great programs, great schools academically and I have a chance to play right away. That's what I want to do and both of them have a great football programs.

"I was real suprised to see Virginia start that many freshmen. They say they have two running backs that are real good that are freshmen. Ahmad Brooks will play next year and he's really talented. It would be nice to play next to a guy like that."

Blades also has a lot of talent off the football field -- as a journalist.

"I want to major in journalism broadcasting. I always wanted to be like Chris Berman. I've been writing for my school newspaper the past three years in the sports section."

What will be the deciding factors in Blades highly-anticipated decision?

"The atmosphere, the area, the fans, and the players on the team because those are the players I'll be with for the next four or five years of my life. I plan on making my decision after I take all my visits, and I'll know after that."