Dec. 6, 2006

   PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh senior linebacker H.B. Blades has been selected the 2006 Big East Defensive Player of the Year in a vote by conference coaches, the league office announced today.

   Blades is the first Panther to win the Big East's top defensive player honor. The 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker additionally was selected first team All-Big East for the third consecutive year, which is also an unprecedented achievement for a Pitt player.  

   Blades was one of five Panthers to be named to the All-Big East Team. The Panthers' other honorees included junior receiver Derek Kinder (first team), junior cornerback Darrelle Revis (first team), junior defensive end Joe Clermond (second team) and senior punter Adam Graessle (second team).

   This past season, Blades (Plantation, Fla./Plantation) compiled an astonishing 147 total tackles, the most by a Pitt player in over two decades. He additionally collected 10.5 tackles for losses, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and blocked two field goals.

   Those numbers made him one of the most productive defenders in all of college football. He averaged 12.3 tackles per game, which ranked first among all Big East players and third nationally. His seven solo stops per game ranked first in the conference and fourth nationally.

   Blades finished with 433 career stops to rank third in school history.

   Kinder (Albion, N.Y./Albion) finished the season as one of the Big East's most productive wideouts, ranking second in receptions (57 total, 4.75 per game) and third in receiving yards (847 total and 70.6 per game). The Biletnikoff Award semifinalist finished second in the league with six touchdown catches.

   Revis (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) earned first team All-Big East for the second consecutive season. A semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, he scored three touchdowns this year, including two on interception returns and one on a thrilling 73-yard punt return against West Virginia. Revis is the first two-time first-team All-Big East defensive back at Pitt since Hank Poteat accomplished the feat in 1998 and 1999.

   Clermond (Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain) leads the Big East with 16.5 tackles for losses. His average of 1.38 TFLs per game ranks 14^th nationally. Overall, Clermond totaled 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

   Graessle (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) earned All-Big East for the second time in his career. He was previously honored following the 2004 season. Graessle ranks second in the conference with a 42-yard average. He placed 21 of his 49 punts (43%) inside the 20 this season.

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