Blades surprised and impressed with Rocky Top

Defensive back Al Bladesthe, the nation's 35th ranked player and a Miami legacy, was in Knoxville on Friday and Saturday taking part in Tennessee's camp and Orange Carpet Day.

The 6-foot-0, 170 pound cornerback was surprised by much of what he saw and left Rocky Top impressed.

“I was very surprised by the staff and how nice they were. Coach Butch, I thought he was a bit of a meany just looking at pictures. You never meet someone, you just look at him and that’s how I felt. Just the perception of him, but he’s actually a really, really nice guy,” Blades said.

“I have to tell him that I thought he was a meany.

“It’s great here. I can’t lie. The dorms are great. I could see myself living in the dorms no problem. No hesitation. I could see myself on the field. I could see myself working with coach (Charlton) Warren everyday, and a lot of kids would take for granted how calm and they might call “boring” this town is but there’s a lot of things this town has to offer. The biggest thing is staying out of trouble and this town really offers that a lot. It’s not a lot of opportunities to get in trouble.”

Tennessee's receivers coach Kevin Beard has known Blades for a long time and it was Beard who told him he had to see the Vols before making a college choice.

“He has known me longer than I have known him,” Blades said laughing. “He's seen me in diapers. But we built a close relationship my 8th grade summer. I was part of South Florida Express when he was a part of it. That's when I remember first meeting him.

“It's a great feeling around here. I just had to come see the facilities. I talk to coach Beard a lot and he talks about it. He wanted me to get up here and see it for myself. Words are one thing, but when you see it for yourself, it's very beautiful.”

Blades is obviously closely tied to Miami with his family legacy with the 'Canes. Most assume that's where he will end up. There no question Miami is a factor but Blades said he's looking to create his own path and has to find what's best for him. And he said one key family member is interested in him leaving the state.

“I’m my own man. I have to do what I have to do for my own future,” Blades said. “At the end of the day, that’s their option. It’s not about beating out (Miami), it’s about finding what’s best for me. I’ve never really stated that someone had to beat out (Miami). I have to figure out what’s best for me. That may be the school that’s best for me. You never know. But at the end of the day, I have to lay out everything on the table and see what’s best for me.

“I don't think distance is a big thing for me. I think it might be a little bit for my mom, but at the same time she wants me to leave the state of Florida. So there's no big deal with distance.”

In addition to his relationship with Kevin Beard, Blades has two former teammates in Knoxville and got plenty of knowledge from them about the Vols.

“I have Joshua Palmer up here and 'Biscuit' (Kivon Bennett). Two great guys. I talked to them about it up here and they love how everything is run,” Blades said.

“It' s a really beautiful city. When you think of Knoxville and Tennessee I thought it would be boring. It's a really quiet town. It's beautiful. It's different then what I am used to.”

Blades is not in any hurry to make a decision. His focus for the next few months is on his football season then official visits. He has an idea of some schools that will get a visit and indicate that a return trip to Rocky Top is likely.

“There’s a definite chance I’m coming back. I’m definitely taking an official,” Beard offered.

As he takes those officials, he knows what he is looking for to be the best fit for him.

“I'm looking for a school I can spend three to four years at and can develop me to be the best me on and off the field,” Blades said. “And how can the college set me up after that. Even if I'm fortunate enough to have an NFL career after that is my college going to connect me to people around the world that can give me a job. Can the school just help build me as a person everyday.”

Over the last 48 hours, the Vols have shown Blades plenty of things that could possibly make them that fit.