An interesting push from the Pitt athletic department on behalf of H.B. Blades.

It seems like just yesterday a young Horatio Benedict Blades made his way to Pitt as a highly regarded prospect out of Plantation, Fla. Too good to redshirt, he found himself in a starting role by the end of the season. The next year he earned first team All-Big East. He did it again as a junior.

Now, nearly three years after he signed his letter of intent to attend Pitt, Blades finds himself as the team’s elder statesman – both in terms of experience and performance.
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The 2006 opener against Virginia may still be six months away, but that hasn’t stopped the advance praise from pouring in about Blades.

In March he was named to the “watch lists” for two of college football’s most prestigious awards, including the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy. The Lombardi Award honors the country’s top down lineman or defensive player who lines up within five yards of the football. The Lott Trophy, named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, honors college football’s top defensive player and strongly takes into account personal character, academics and community involvement.

After leading the Big East and ranking 13th nationally with an average of 11 tackles per game, he figures to be named to practically every preseason All-America team. Just this week he was named to Playboy’s squad.

There are plenty more watch lists for him to be added. Not to mention pushing him for other preseason All-American teams.

It isn’t a disagreeable approach. In fact, it is part of the way the college football propaganda game is played. Get stories out there on the star players. Generate interest if possible.

Expect similar pieces for Darrelle Revis and perhaps others.