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to have an even bigger 2016 campaign. He racked up 115 tackles a season ago, the sec‑ ond year in a row that he finished in the top two among ACC players in that category. He also posted double‑digit tackles in seven of UVA's 12 games in 2015. His length and ability to play both center field in the defense as well as walk up closer to the line of scrimmage in run situations could prove extremely valuable in Menden‑ hall's system. This year, Blanding has already been named to watch lists for the Bednarik Award (the nation's top defensive player), the Bronco Nagurski Trophy (the nation's best defensive player) and the Jim Thorpe Award (the nation's best defensive back). 3. Third-Year Linebacker Micah Kiser — A 6‑2, 240‑pound linebacker, Kiser was an All‑ACC selection in 2015 after leading the league in tackles (17th nationally) with 117. He and Blanding combined to be the only teammates in the Football Bowl Sub‑ division to finish the regular season first and second in tackles in their respective leagues. In fact, he and Blanding were the first set of second‑years at UVA to be named first‑team All‑ACC since running back Terry Kirby and linebacker Chris Slade in 1990. He'll be the rock in the middle of Virginia's new 3‑4 look. So far, Kiser has also been named to watch lists for the Bednarik Award and the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, as well as the Butkus Award (the nation's top linebacker). 4. Second-Year Wide Receiver Olamide Zaccheaus — It's not just Mizzell that Anae Third-year Micah Kiser leads the way for a talented group of inside linebackers. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA