Trio of Pioneers Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society

Brandon Davis (Lansing), Owen Davis (Lansing), and Learoy Smith (Yonkers/Yonkers Montessori Academy) are three of 1,643 players from a record 424 schools that have qualified for membership into the 2019 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society sponsored by the the NFF & College Hall of Fame.

"We are pleased to see another record number of athletes honored by the Hampshire Honor Society this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, it has become a powerful vehicle for schools to recognize their college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically, and we congratulate the schools and each of these young men for their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives.

Brandon Davis has a 3.8 GPA in Construction Management and has served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Owen Davis has a 3.72 GPA in Sport Management and has served as President of SAAC, Smith has a 3.33 GPA in Sport Management.

Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:

• Completed their final year of playing eligibility in 2018;
  • Graduated players, who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play (e.g. declared for NFL Draft or retired from football), may also be nominated.
• Achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study;
• Met all NCAA- or NAIA-mandated progress toward degree requirements; and
• Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2018 season.

The 1,643 players honored in 2019 sets a new high water mark, eclipsing the previous record of 1,274 honorees in 2018. The 424 schools represented breaks the previous mark of 308 set in 2018.
 
The initiative has now honored 10,660 student-athletes since its inception, and the program has experienced growth every year in either members or school participation since its launch in 2007.