Scott Patchan’s father Matt earned two University of Miami national championship rings as a left tackle — one for the Hurricanes’ first title in 1983 and another in 1987.
Al Blades’ late father Al Sr., a gregarious, aggressive safety, laid the groundwork for Miami’s last title team in 2001.
Together, the legacy Hurricanes — Patchan is a fifth-year defensive end and Blades, a sophomore cornerback — have emerged as defensive leaders intent on bringing an already heralded defense to new heights in 2019.
“I feel like I’ve been here for a long time and haven’t lived up to the expectations I set for myself coming into college,’’ Patchan, who is practicing at first-team defensive end opposite standout junior Jon Garvin, said Thursday after the fifth session of spring practice.