Micah Kiser explains why he’s returning to Virginia Football next year

After getting evaluated by the NFL and discussing with his coaches and family, Micah Kiser has decided to return to Virginia to finish out his senior season. Kiser, who was an FWAA Second Team All-American, a first-team All-ACC selection, a finalist for the Dudley Award and a semifinalist for both the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, has led the conference in tackles in each of the past two years.

In a press conference, Kiser listed three driving factors behind his decision to return. The first is simply that he hasn’t graduated yet.

“To leave here without a degree from UVA, that would just be very stupid, in my opinion, on my behalf. To come back next year and work towards a masters degree from UVA, that would go very far for me in my life after football.”

He also says that there’s some unfinished business for Virginia. He views his role in part to lead the team and be the face of the program as Virginia looks to become a winning program.

“To abandon a lot of young guys, especially on defense, that would be selfish on my part.”

“I want to be a part of the change here at UVA and be a part of the change in culture, and definitely be one of the reasons why this is a winning program,” Kiser added.

Third he wants to continue his own improvement as a player, spending next year this time training to be a solid NFL draft pick and a solid future NFL player.

You can watch full highlights of the press conference below, but before he concluded, he had a message to Quin Blanding, who also requested an evaluation from the NFL, but has not yet anounced any decision.

“Mr. Blanding: Batman and Robin — you always talk about it. Let’s finish it up here. Go Hoos.”