• Complete NFF Hampshire Honor Society Release

Ten OVC-Big South football student-athletes have been named to the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society which recognizes academic excellence across the sport, reinforcing a consistent truth: football continues to develop disciplined, educated leaders at scale.
 
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society has recognized 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools since 2007. The 2026 class, which includes a record 2,596 players from 365 schools, represents the largest group in the program's history and underscores the sustained academic achievement taking place across all levels of college football. Click here for the 2026 list of members.
 
Created in 2007, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society is one of the most comprehensive scholar-athlete initiatives in college athletics, recognizing football players from all divisions who have maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher throughout their college careers. Click here for the full criteria and history.

OVC-Big South Players Selected to Hampshire Honor Society
Nick Bartalo, Charleston Southern
Tienne Fridge, Eastern Illinois
Brett Galletti, Eastern Illinois 
Jesse Garza, Eastern Illinois 
Jihad McCall, Eastern Illinois 
Joe McNab, Eastern Illinois
Jackson Dorr, Gardner-Webb
Tremel Jones, Tennessee Tech
Christian Thomas, Tennessee Tech
Christian Pierce, Western Illinois