Two of the returning stars of the Virginia football team’s defense continue to rake in preseason honors. The ACC announced Wednesday that linebacker Micah Kiser and safety Quin Blanding each landed on the All-ACC Preseason Football Team. Both seniors bypassed NFL Draft opportunities to return to UVA.
Kiser led the ACC in tackles the past two seasons, piling up a total of 251 stops in 2015 and 2016. With 134 tackles last fall, he ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 among “Power 5” conference players. He tied former Wahoo standout Wali Rainer for the fourth most tackles in a single season in program history. The season record holder is Angelo Crowell, who posted 155 stops in 2002.
Kiser owns 266 career tackles so another season of 100+ stops would vault him into the top 10 all-time at UVA; he needs 116 (he beat that number each of the last two years) to surpass James Farrior for fifth all-time. Jamie Sharper is the program’s top all-time tackler with 435.
In addition to All-ACC Preseason honors, also earned a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List this week. That award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Kiser was a semifinalist for the honor last year. The senior also received recognition on watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy, and Lott IMPACT Trophy. The Butkus Award announces semifinalists on Oct. 30, finalists on Nov. 20, and the winner on or before Dec. 5.
Blanding has picked up similar stacks of honors this preseason. He finished second in the ACC in tackles each of the past two seasons, marking the first time a defensive duo from the same team finished 1-2 in back-to-back seasons since the league started tracking tackle leaders in 1990. He’s never had fewer than 115 tackles in a season.
Last fall, Blanding posted 120 stops to tie for 16th nationally. He enters his senior season with 358 career tackles, good enough for ninth all-time in program history and No. 1 among defensive backs. He needs 78 tackles to surpass Sharper as the Hoos all-time leading tackler.
In addition to All-ACC Preseason honors, Blanding also picked up a spot on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List this week. The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented annually to the Football Bowl Subdivision player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. He’s also been recognized this summer by the watch lists for the Bednarik Award, the Nagurski Trophy, the Jim Thorpe Award, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy as well as the Allstate Good Works team. The Wuerffel Trophy names semifinalists for the award on Nov. 2, finalists on Nov. 22, and the winner on Dec. 5.
Other UVA players that received All-ACC Preseason votes include receiver Doni Dowling (4), receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (3), defensive end Andrew Brown (4), linebacker Jordan Mack (2), cornerback Tim Harris (5), cornerback Bryce Hall (4), safety Juan Thornhill (3), and specialist Joe Reed (4). See the All-ACC Preseason Football team and votes here.
Kurt Benkert Receives Watch List Honor
Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert also learned of some good news Wednesday. He earned a spot on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List. The award is based on accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Finalists will be named in September and the award winner will be announced Dec. 8.
Benkert enters his final season at Virginia after putting up some good numbers a year ago. He threw for 2,552 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
