
Blanding (So., Virginia Beach, Va.) was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 after finishing the regular season No. 2 in the ACC with 123 tackles, while also leading the nation’s freshmen. Blanding also was named Scout.com’s National Defensive Rookie of the Year, while also earning numerous Freshman All-American distinctions from various outlets, including by Athlon Sports. Blanding was also named a preseason All-American (fourth-team) by Phil Steele.
Blanding and Virginia open the 2015 season at UCLA on Sept. 5. The game will be televised live on FOX at 3:30 p.m. ET.