Virginia safety Quin Blanding, statistically, has already built a reputation as one of the program's best defensive backs with his play on the field. He eyed the NFL and submitted his name to the the league's draft evaluation committee for college underclassmen but announced Monday that he wants to return for his fourth year.
"After careful thought and consideration, I have decided to stay at the University of Virginia and complete my fourth year," Blanding said in an official release. "I am fully committed to coach Bronco Mendenhall, coach Nick Howell and the entire coaching staff and the program they are building. I am committed to my teammates and want to help lead my team to a bowl game while at UVA.
"My focus has been and will continue to be helping the team get better and growing as a player. I look forward to having the opportunity to play in the NFL in the future, but my immediate focus right now is my team and contributing to a winning season in 2017. Go Hoos."
An All-ACC First Team pick by both the league's media and coaches, Blanding ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 10 in the nation -- and No. 1 among defensive backs -- with 10.0 tackles per game. Blanding has been a playmaker since arriving on campus as a high-rated recruit from Virginia Beach, and now he's positioned himself to the face of a team looking to break through under Mendenhall.
Blanding will have some help from stellar inside linebacker Micah Kiser, another All-ACC performer for the Wahoos in 2016, who recently announced his decision to return for a senior season in Charlottesville. Together, they'll try to lead Virginia to its first bowl appearance since 2011.
