CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia free safety Quin Blanding was named to the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, announced the league on Wednesday. The team was selected by a vote of credentialed media members at last week’s ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte.
Blanding has previously been named this summer to the 2016 Bednarik, Nagurski, Jim Thorpe and Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. This is the second year in a row that Blanding has been named to the preseason All-ACC team.
Blanding (Jr., Virginia Beach, Va.), a second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC honoree last year, returns for his junior season in 2016. Blanding started all 12 games and finished the year No. 2 in the ACC with 9.58 tackles per game.
2016 All-ACC Preseason Football Team
Offense
WR – Artavis Scott, Jr., Clemson
WR – Isaiah Ford, Jr., Virginia Tech
WR – Travis Rudolph, Jr. Florida State
TE – Jordan Leggett, Sr., Clemson
OT – Roderick Johnson, Jr., Florida State
OT – Mitch Hyatt, So., Clemson
OG – Dorian Johnson, Sr., Pitt
OG – Tyrone Crowder, Jr., Clemson
C – Jay Guillermo, r-Sr., Clemson
QB – Deshaun Watson, Jr., Clemson
RB – Dalvin Cook, Jr., Florida State
RB – Elijah Hood, Jr., North Carolina
Defense
DE – DeMarcus Walker, Sr., Florida State
DE – Ejuan Price, r-Sr., Pitt
DT – Carlos Watkins, r-Sr., Clemson
DT – DeAngelo Brown, Sr., Louisville
LB – Ben Boulware, Sr., Clemson
LB – Keith Kelsey, Sr., Louisville
LB – Devonte Fields, Sr., Louisville
CB – Cordrea Tankersley, Sr., Clemson
CB – Des Lawrence, Sr., North Carolina
S – Derwin James, So., Florida State
S – Quin Blanding, Jr., Virginia
Special Teams
PK – Greg Huegel, r-So., Clemson
P – Justin Vogel, Sr., Miami
SP – Ryan Switzer, So., North Carolina
2016 All-ACC Preseason Team Voting
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Clemson 188; Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina 1; Brad Kaaya, Miami 1; Lamar Jackson, Louisville 1.
Running Back
Dalvin Cook, Florida State 184; Elijah Hood, North Carolina 97; Wayne Gallman, Clemson 70; Matthew Dayes, NC State 8; Taquan Mizzell, Virginia 7; Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech 4; Qadree Ollison, Pitt 3; Joe Yearby, Miami 3; Jon Hilliman, Boston College 3; Mark Walton, Miami 1; Marcus Marshall, Georgia Tech 1; Brandon Ratcliff, Louisville 1.
Wide Receiver
Artavis Scott, Clemson 112; Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech 112; Travis Rudolph, Florida State 94; Mike Williams, Clemson 80; Ryan Switzer, North Carolina 42; Mack Hollins, North Carolina 27; James Quick, Louisville 23; Stacy Coley, Miami 23; Kermit Whitefield, Florida State 15; Jamari Staples, Louisville 13; Bug Howard, North Carolina 11; Jesus Wilson, Florida State 6; Bra’Lon Cherry, NC State 5; Tabari Hines, Wake Forest 3; Anthony Nash, Duke 2; Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech 2; Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1; Steve Ishmael, Syracuse 1; T.J. Rahming, Duke 1.
Tight End
Jordan Leggett, Clemson 89; Jaylen Samuels, NC State 41; Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech 34; Cam Serigne, Wake Forest 7; Ryan Izzo, Florida State 6; David Njoku, Miami 4; Cole Hikutini, Louisville 4; Brandon Fritts, North Carolina 3; Daniel Helm, Duke 2; Scott Orndoff, Pitt 1.
Offensive Tackle
Roderick Johnson, Florida State 153; Mitch Hyatt, Clemson 82; Adam Bisnowaty, Pitt 70; Jon Heck, North Carolina 39; Trevor Darling, Miami 13; Casey Blaser, Duke 8; Eric Smith, Virginia 5; Jonathan McLaughlin, Virginia Tech 4; Geron Christian, Louisville 3; Yosuah Nijman, Virginia Tech 2; Bentley Spain, North Carolina 1; Gabe Brandner, Duke 1; Justin Herron, Wake Forest 1.
Offensive Guard
Dorian Johnson, Pitt 107; Tyrone Crowder, Clemson 82; Caleb Peterson, North Carolina 77; Kareem Are, Florida State 32; Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech 13; Danny Isidora, Miami 13; Tony Adams, NC State 12; Wilson Bell, Florida State 12; Tanner Stone, Duke 11; KC McDermott, Miami 11; Augie Conte, Virginia Tech 8; Omari Palmer, Syracuse 4.
Center
Jay Guillermo, Clemson 124; Lucas Crowley, North Carolina 13; Jackson Matteo, Virginia 11; Freddie Burden, Georgia Tech 10; Nick Linder, Miami 8; Alec Eberle, Florida State 8; Alex Officer, Pitt 5; Joe Sceflo, NC State 4; Jason Emerich, Syracuse 3; Jon Baker, Boston College 3; Eric Gallo, Virginia Tech 2.
Defensive End
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State 142; Ejuan Price, Pitt 102; Josh Sweat, Florida State 33; Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech 23; Al-Quadin Muhammad, Miami 16; Harold Landry, Boston College 15; Bradley Chubb, NC State 12; KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech 10; Mikey Bart, North Carolina 8; Kevin Kavalec, Boston College 6; Andrew Brown, Virginia 5; Dajaun Drennon, North Carolina 5; Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest 5.
Defensive Tackle
Carlos Watkins, Clemson 132; DeAngelo Brown, Louisville 56; Derrick Nnadi, Florida State 48; Christian Wilkins, Clemson 41; Nazair Jones, North Carolina 31; Patrick Gamble, Georgia Tech 21; Demarcus Christmas, Florida State 15; Josh Banks, Wake Forest 8; Woody Baron, Virginia Tech 7; B.J. Hill, NC State 5; Mike Ramsay, Duke 5; Truman Gutapfel, Boston College 5; A.J. Wolf, Duke 4; Donte Wilkins, Virginia 4.
Linebacker
Ben Boulware, Clemson 149; Keith Kelsey, Louisville 99; Devonte Fields, Louisville 96; Micah Kiser, Virginia 84; Matt Milano, Boston College 49; Ro’Derrick Hoskins, Florida State 20; Zaire Franklin, Syracuse 13; Marquel Lee, Wake Forest 11; Connor Strachan, Boston College 9; P.J. Davis, Georgia Tech 9; Jermaine Grace, Miami 8; Matt Galambos, Pitt 7; Ben Humphreys, Duke 7; Mike Caprara, Pitt 5; Andrew Motuapuaka, Virginia Tech 3; Airius Moore, NC State 3; Brant Mitchell, Georgia Tech 1.
Cornerback
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson 115; Des Lawrence, North Carolina 62; Marquez White, Florida State 54; DeVon Edwards, Duke 43; M.J. Stewart, North Carolina 33; Shaq Wiggins, Louisville 20; Corn Elder, Miami 19; Brad Watson, Wake Forest 10; Tim Harris, Virginia 7; Breon Borders, Duke 6; Jack Tocho, NC State 5; Avonte Maddox, Pitt 4; Sheldrick Redwine, Miami 4.
Safety
Derwin James, Florida State 112; Quin Blanding, Virginia 107; Jordan Whitehead, Pitt 51; Josh Harvey-Clemons, Louisville 37; Rayshawn Jenkins, Miami 18; Chuck Clark, Virginia Tech 11; Donnie Miles, North Carolina 10; John Johnson, Boston College 9; Trey Marshall, Florida State 8; Josh Jones, NC State 6; Ryan Janvion, Wake Forest 5; Deondre Singleton, Duke 4; A.J. Gray, Georgia Tech 2; Antwan Cody, Syracuse 2.
Placekicker
Greg Huegel, Clemson 63; Michael Badgley, Miami 41; Nick Weiler, North Carolina 39; Harrison Butker, Georgia Tech 16; Chris Blewitt, Pitt 12; Joey Slye, Virginia Tech 11; Mike Weaver, Wake Forest 7; Cole Murphy, Syracuse 2.
Punter
Justin Vogel, Miami 100; Nicholas Conte, Virginia 60; A.J. Cole III, NC State 20; Ryan Winslow, Pitt 11.
Specialist
Ryan Switzer, North Carolina 112; DeVon Edwards, Duke 40; Kermit Whitfield, Florida State 16; Corn Elder, Miami 8; Brisly Estime, Syracuse 6; T.J. Logan, North Carolina 4; Nyheim Hines, NC State 3; Michael Walker, Boston College 1; Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1.
ARV...
Taquan Mizzell, Virginia 7 (5th RB)
Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia 1 (17th WR)
Eric Smith, Virginia 5 (7th OT)
Jackson Matteo, Virginia 11 (3rd C)
Andrew Brown, Virginia 5 (11th DE)
Donte Wilkins, Virginia 4 (14th DT)
Micah Kiser, Virginia 84 (4th LB)
Tim Harris, Virginia 7 (9th CB)
Nicholas Conte, Virginia 60 (2nd P)
I can almost guarantee that Oz, Wilkins, and Kiser are being underrated by the shit-sucking ACC media.
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Meanwhile, the one most important question that my friend Paul always asks is...
Who are the future NFL players on our football team?
My take...
2017 NFL DRAFT
S Quin Blanding -- I think he'll make the early jump and land in the 3rd/4th round.
NT Donte Wilkins -- Big Donte will owe Bronco and Co. a big slice of his future pro paycheck, as they saved his career. I bet he's awesome for us in 2016, and earns a middle-round selection in the draft.
OT Eric Smith -- I'm bullish on this guy's talent. Might be a late rounder or an undrafted free agent, but at 6-5, 300, he'll get a shot.
RB Taquan Mizzell -- Not really fast enough to do the job he'll need to do in the NFL, but he's surely a priority undrafted free agent.
C Jackson Matteo -- He'll get a shot in some team's training camp, no doubt. And like we've seen at Virginia, a shot is all this former walk-on really needs...
P Nicholas Conte -- I'm listing him here because his numbers are good enough to merit a training camp invitation.
2018 NFL DRAFT
LB Micah Kiser -- He's shorter than you want, but now that he's gaining real-life experience playing behind an odd front, his value to NFL teams is rising. I'm guessing 3rd/4th round.
DE Andrew Brown -- Like with Wilkins, I think Bronco is saving his career. 5th round pick with intriguing upside.
WR Doni Dowling -- Just a hunch, but I'm thinking NFL teams will like him a lot as a potential slot specialist. Late round pick or priority undrafted free agent.
WR Andre Levrone -- Size and hands will always earn a receiver a shot in training camp.
OT Jack English -- I think he's got enough to pull a training camp invite after starting for a year or two under 2J.
2019 NFL DRAFT
2019 NFL DRAFT
OLB Chris Peace -- Someone is going to emerge as a potent pass rusher, and my guess is Peace. I like his measurables; they translate well to the next level.
CB Juan Thornhill -- I think Howell has a good one brewing, banking on at least a middle-round pick in a few years.
CB Darious Latimore -- The Thornhill/Latimore duo could be a big deal for us in 2017-18.
RB/WR Olamide Zaccheaus -- He's small, but dynamic. I doubt he gets drafted, but he'll be a camp body for some lucky NFL team.
2020 NFL DRAFT
2020 NFL DRAFT
DE Eli Hanback -- Emerges as a middle-rounder after FOUR seasons in the UVA starting lineup.
LB Jahvoni Simmons -- I like the idea of him taking over and emerging once Kiser's eligibility is exhausted.
C R.J. Proctor -- Just seems like one of those guys who'll develop. I like his chances of taking the job after Matteo's graduation and running with it. Mid-to-late rounder in 2020.
WR Warren Craft -- He'll get plenty of playing time in 2016-19, could be our go-to wideout in '18 and '19, and his career numbers will earn him a shot as an undrafted free agent.
