From Division II standout to Miami Hurricanes' National Championship trenches, David Blay Jr. now tackles the NFL with the New England Patriots.
Oftentimes, edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and All-American Rueben Bain Jr. get most of the attention from the Miami Hurricanes’ revamped defense this past season. However, defensive tackle David Blay Jr. was one of several other factors from the pass-rushing unit. In 13 appearances, including nine starts, he recorded 28 total tackles, 10 solos and 18 assists, and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Nine players from the program were called throughout the 2026 NFL Draft, but Blay Jr. wasn’t one of them. As an undrafted free agent, he signed with the New England Patriots, with hopes of carving out an extended opportunity.
The Levittown, Pennsylvania, native was an unranked recruit coming from Harry S. Truman High School, a public institution located in Bucks County. He remained under the radar throughout the process, enrolling at West Chester University and playing for the Bulldogs. They are an NCAA Division II program and members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Blay Jr. redshirted in 2021, then saw immediate on-field action the following year. He recorded 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 11 games, including eight starts. After a productive season, he entered the transfer portal and joined the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Blay Jr. continued to develop and eventually underwent a breakout season. As a redshirt junior, he led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, including 46 total tackles, starting in all 12 games.
Blay Jr. earned First Team All-Conference USA honors.
After having an extra year of NCAA eligibility remaining, the defensive tackle made the most of a final opportunity, entering the transfer portal for a second time and finding a new home in South Florida with the Hurricanes. It would be the highest level of competition he faced in college football.
Blay Jr. was a consistent factor in the Hurricanes' dominating matchup in the trenches, resulting in a National Championship appearance. After a lone season with the program, he earned All-ACC Honorable Mentions.
The Patriots were one of the better defensive teams in the league, but the pass-rushing unit had 35 total sacks, seventh-fewest. Blay Jr. will need to work extra hard to earn the chance of staying on the roster. However, the undrafted prospect might have joined the right destination as the Patriots currently have eight defensive linemen under contract for the next NFL season. Blay Jr. could be viewed as an additional depth piece.
The franchise is coming off its 12th Super Bowl appearance, with hopes of returning and completing unfinished business. The defense underperformed against the Seattle Seahawks, especially the pass-rushing unit.
Blay Jr. has proven to be a productive defensive tackle, climbing the collegiate ladder of competition, and looks to do the same at the NFL level.
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