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April 6, 2013

Charlottesville, Va. – During Saturday’s annual Orange & Blue Spring Football Game, Virginia head coach Mike London announced the recipients of the team’s spring football awards.

Sophomore defensive tackle David Dean (Virginia Beach, Va.) and junior tight end Zachary Swanson (Katy, Texas) were named the Rock Weir Award winners as the most improved players during spring drills.

Dean appeared in 11 of Virginia’s 12 games in 2012. Participating in 83 plays on the season, Dean collected his first career sack against Wake Forest. Dean made three tackles in his freshman campaign.

Swanson appeared in all 12 games and made four starts, all as fullback. Swanson moved back to tight end this spring after making eight catches for 88 yards and one touchdown in 2012 from the fullback position. Swanson caught a one-yard touchdown from Phillip Sims for his first collegiate touchdown at Georgia Tech. Swanson enters his junior year with 25 career appearances.

Sophomore cornerback Maurice Canady (Richmond, Va.) and sophomore defensive end Eli Harold (Virginia Beach, Va.) were the recipients of the Z Society Dudley Award presented to the first-year player for his excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community. The award is named after the late “Bullet” Bill Dudley, who exemplified those traits and was a two-time All-American at Virginia.

The Cavalier Academic Achievement Award was shared by junior long snapper Blake Blaze (Barnstable, Mass.) and senior strong safety Rijo Walker (Hampton, Va). The award is presented to the UVa student-athletes who represent Uncompromised Excellence in their academic pursuits.

Senior defensive tackle Brent Urban (Mississauga, Ontario) and sophomore quarterback David Watford (Hampton, Va.) shared the team’s Iron Cavalier award for his performance and dedication in the weight room.

London also announced that long snapper Matt Fortin (West Chester, Pa.) will be awarded a full scholarship for Fall 2013.

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