MIAMI — FIU football's Brian Blades II and Keyone Jenkins hauled in more preseason accolades on Wednesday, recognized as Group of Five All-Americans by Hero Sports. 

Blades II, a senior defensive back, earned a Second Team selection as a Hero Sports Group of Five All-American. Jenkins, a junior signal-caller with two years of starting experience, was named to the Third Team. This duo makes up two of just seven players selected to the three-team list from Conference USA (CUSA). Additionally, FIU is one of two programs, joining Liberty, to have multiple honorees from Hero Sports.  

Blades II continues to provide lockdown coverage in the FIU secondary, entering his senior season. He was recognized by Athlon Sports as a First Team All-CUSA honoree and earned Second Team honors on Phil Steele's Preseason All-CUSA Team. Blades, a local product from American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, started all 12 games last season and had a pick-six against Central Michigan in FIU's home opener of 2024. He also was often rated as one of the top corners in coverage by Pro Football Focus (PFF) throughout last season. 

The Opa-Locka, Fla. native is firmly on the national radar this preseason, having already been named the 2025 CUSA Offensive Player of the Year along with receiving nods on the Davey O'Brien, Walter Camp and Maxwell Award Watchlists. In 2024, Jenkins showed his ability as a passer with 22 touchdowns as a true sophomore, the second-most in a single season in program history. 

He finished his second season as a starter with 2,457 passing yards and 188 completions, completing 62 percent of his throws. Jenkins ranked first in CUSA in 2024 in passing efficiency and 19th-nationally. The Miami Central prep is surging up the all-time career charts at FIU as well, currently sitting sixth in career passing yards (4,971) and completions (382) and fifth in passing touchdowns (33). 

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