4-star recruits honor late dads with Father’s Day commitments

Four-star defensive back Al Blades Jr. announced his commitment to Miami on Sunday, and four-star quarterback Dakereon Joyner declared to South Carolina. Both chose Father’s Day for a reason.

Blades is the son of former Canes and NFL safety Al Blades, who died in a 2003 car accident. He’s aiming to become the fifth member of his family to make the league; uncles Brian and Bennie also played at Miami, and cousin H.B. played at Pitt.

“It was an important, big day for my entire family,” Blades Jr. said after his announcement, via Rivals. “I’ve known I wanted to announce on Father’s Day for probably a month now. My mom was very happy and excited.”

Joyner, who also announced he intends to flip the country’s No. 2 recruit away from the rival Clemson Tigers, said he went to his dad’s grave before committing.

“I always told him when I make it someday, I’m going to give him a big Range Rover and a big house. I’m going to make sure I get my mama a Range Rover and a big house, believe that.”

Waiting for Father’s Day wasn’t easy. The race to fill limited quarterback spots in recruiting classes is a factor. The Wolfpack and Virginia Tech had been in the mix, but they picked passers through the process leaving Joyner not wanting to scramble. He’d also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Oklahoma.

But the Father’s Day factor was important to him.

“You put those colleges in jeopardy because they want their quarterback to (commit) early, that way they’re not going to get anybody else that year,” Patriots coach Steve LaPrad said. “It’s been tough, but he has been just hell-bent on, ‘I’m going to do it for my dad.’ ”