Florida football to add talented transfer CB Elijah Blades from Texas A&M during camp

Football

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The Florida Gators’ much maligned defense looks to be getting an extra boost smack in the middle of summer camp as Texas A&M cornerback Elijah Blades told The Athletic‘s G. Allan Taylor that he plans to join the program once he officially completes his undergraduate degree. He entered the transfer portal in June.

Blades, the No. 4 JUCO prospect in the Class of 2019, opted out of the 2020 season only to later opt in but see little action due to a nagging shoulder injury. He previously tore his labrum in 2019, though his shoulder had bothered him for years prior. Blades would have been the Aggies’ third or fourth cornerback had he remained on the roster in 2021.

A former four-star prospect out of high school in 2017, Blades was a long-time Florida commitment out of California who was unable to qualify academically at UF. He decommitted one week before National Signing Day and ultimately enrolled at Arizona Western College before ultimately transferring to Texas A&M.

Blades visited the Gators on June 18, just one week after entering the portal.

“They told me Dan Mullen said, ‘I need him. Call him up right now.’ So it’s capturing a dream and an opportunity for me to play,” Blades told The Athletic (subscription required). “Other programs reached out, but I’ve been full-Florida all the time, really. I haven’t been entertaining anybody else.”

If healthy, he will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact for Florida as the team’s lone firmly established corner is sophomore Kaiir Elam. Five-star freshman Jason Marshall and redshirt freshman Avery Helm are also expected to have substantial roles.

Though there will be a learning curve joining the program so close to the start of the season, Blades could be afforded some extra time or a break-in period considering UF opens against FAU and South Florida. He will compete with Marshall, Helm, junior Jaydon Hill, junior Jadarrius Perkins (Missouri transfer) and redshirt freshmen Ethan Pouncey.