2026 Football Signing Day Roster

McHale Blade
- Class:
- Freshman
- Position:
- DL
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 245
- Hometown:
- Country Club Hills, Ill.
- High School:
- Simeon
Prep
• Attended Simeon Career Academy (2026), coached by Sinque Turner
• Three-year varsity letter winner; team captain as a senior in 2025
• Attended Country Club Hills Hillcrest High School (Ill.) for his first two years (2022 and 2023) before transferring to Simeon for 2024 and 2025 seasons
Key Statistics
• Limited statistics available throughout his career
• Credited with 12 tackles, including 2.0 for loss, with two forced fumbles as a senior in 2025
• Limited action as a junior in 2024
• In seven games as a sophomore in 2023, posted 22 tackles, including 5.0 for loss, with 1.5 sacks
Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 384 overall player nationally, the No. 42 defensive lineman, and the No. 10 player in the state of Illinois
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 43 defensive lineman, and the No. 10 player in the state of Illinois
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 31 defensive lineman, and No. 8 in the state of Illinois
• Named a four-star prospect by Rivals Industry Ranking, the No. 342 player in the nation, the No. 33 defensive lineman, and the No. 9 player in Illinois
• Rivals four-star prospect, the No. 34 defensive lineman in the nation, and the No. 9 player in Illinois
• PrepStar ranking of four stars, the No. 207 player in the country, the No. 29 defensive lineman, and the No. 6 player in the state of Illinois
• Rated a PrepStar Top 300 All-American
Personal
• McHale Blade was born January 19, 2007
• Son of Ishmel and Nicole Blade
• Attended Simeon Career Academy (2026), coached by Sinque Turner
• Three-year varsity letter winner; team captain as a senior in 2025
• Attended Country Club Hills Hillcrest High School (Ill.) for his first two years (2022 and 2023) before transferring to Simeon for 2024 and 2025 seasons
Key Statistics
• Limited statistics available throughout his career
• Credited with 12 tackles, including 2.0 for loss, with two forced fumbles as a senior in 2025
• Limited action as a junior in 2024
• In seven games as a sophomore in 2023, posted 22 tackles, including 5.0 for loss, with 1.5 sacks
Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 384 overall player nationally, the No. 42 defensive lineman, and the No. 10 player in the state of Illinois
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 43 defensive lineman, and the No. 10 player in the state of Illinois
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 31 defensive lineman, and No. 8 in the state of Illinois
• Named a four-star prospect by Rivals Industry Ranking, the No. 342 player in the nation, the No. 33 defensive lineman, and the No. 9 player in Illinois
• Rivals four-star prospect, the No. 34 defensive lineman in the nation, and the No. 9 player in Illinois
• PrepStar ranking of four stars, the No. 207 player in the country, the No. 29 defensive lineman, and the No. 6 player in the state of Illinois
• Rated a PrepStar Top 300 All-American
Personal
• McHale Blade was born January 19, 2007
• Son of Ishmel and Nicole Blade
Football Closes Bowl Prep, Readies for Last Game in 2025
Tuesday, December 30
Citrus Bowl Opens New Opportunities for Wolverines
Monday, December 29
Citrus Bowl Practice in Full Swing, Coach Whittingham Talks Priorities
Sunday, December 28
Kyle Whittingham Introductory Press Conference (Dec. 28)
Sunday, December 28




