University of Albany

UAlbany:  Team Captain ... will start for the third consecutive year at inside linebacker ... among the program's career FCS tackles leaders with 167 ... three varsity letters ... 2008: Named to the All-Northeast Conference first team ... first on team in tackles with 91 ... spearheaded unit that ranked 13th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense among the national leaders ... career-high 15 tackles in overtime win at Hofstra, the highest total by a UAlbany player since 2006 ... NEC defensive player of the week with 11 tackles and broke up two-point pass in 24-22 victory over Central Conn. State ... eight or more tackles vs. eight opponents ... 2007:  Second on squad in tackles (63) and had 6.5 hits for a loss ... added two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... season-high 12 tackles in 24-23 win over Stony Brook ... made 10 tackles against second-ranked Montana ... five-plus tackles against seven opponents ... first interception as a collegian in league victory against Robert Morris ... 2006:  Appeared in 10 games ... played special teams on kickoff and punt teams ... missed the season finale with a broken arm ... accounted for 13 tackles, including two for a loss ... two fumble recoveries and one sack ... season-high five tackles vs. Saint Francis ... three tackles and recovered a fumble against Wagner ... set up his team's go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of season opener against Lehigh by recovering a fumble on special teams ... played behind All-America Colin Disch ... High School:  New Jersey Group IV second-team selection ... first-team All-Morris County ... made 124 tackles with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... Newark Star-Ledger Comeback Player of the Year ... member of Group IV and conference championship football squad ... NJSIAA 215-pound wrestling champion with a 33-7 record ... Golden Eagles captured sectional, county and conference titles ... Personal:  Major is communication with a minor in business administration ... born 10-1-87 ... parents are Nicholas and Kathy Brancaccio ... has two brothers, Michael and Nick.