In a pretty big win for Fordham University, thirteen football student-athletes have landed spots in the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. It’s a nod to their hard work, both on the field and in the classroom.
Fordham actually led the Patriot League with the most honorees this year. That’s not too surprising if you know how seriously they take the “student” part of student-athlete.
Fordham’s Academic and Athletic Excellence
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society started up in 2007. It’s for college football players from any division who keep a GPA of 3.2 or higher through their college careers.
This year’s class? The biggest ever—2,596 players from 365 schools. That’s a lot of folks balancing books and football.
Fordham’s honorees are:
- #17 Jack Betten – WR, 6′ 1″, Senior
- #99 Sam Buerkle – DL, 6′ 4″, Senior
- #93 Peter Chalhoub – DL, 6′ 2″, Senior
- #48 James Conway – LB, 6′ 2″, Graduate Student
- #49 Will Haslett – K, 6′ 1″, Graduate Student
- #30 Jack Kaiser – RB, 6′ 0″, Senior
- #14 Alex Kemper – DB, 5′ 11″, Senior
- #74 Duke Leonard – OL, 6′ 4″, Senior
- #75 Kevin Loughlin – OL, 6′ 4″, Senior
- #42 Jack Low – DL, 6′ 3″, Graduate Student
- #20 Nick Pasquarella – DB, 6′ 1″, Senior
- #85 Colby Spencer – TE, 6′ 5″, Senior
- #33 Trey Bradford – LB, 6′ 2″, Senior
The Significance of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society stands out as one of the most wide-reaching scholar-athlete programs in college sports. It was started after coaches wanted to see more than just one top student-athlete recognized; they wanted to see all the high-achievers get a little spotlight.
NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell has said the program really shows off just how many college football players are excelling academically. That’s not something you hear about enough, honestly.
Historical Context and Growth
Since it began, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society has recognized 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools. The 2026 class is especially huge, representing schools from all over the place.
It’s clear that academic excellence is getting more attention in college football. And honestly, who can complain about that?
Fordham’s Leadership in the Patriot League
Fordham topping the Patriot League for honorees says a lot about the university’s priorities. Thirteen honorees put Fordham ahead of schools like Colgate and Richmond, which each had ten.
That’s a nice little bragging right for Fordham. It really shows they’re serious about developing student-athletes who can handle both sides of the college experience.
Individual Achievements
The Fordham honorees aren’t just a bunch of folks from one position—they cover the field. It’s a good mix: wide receivers, linebackers, linemen, and more.
Players like Jack Betten and James Conway stand out for balancing athletic performance and academic focus. Not an easy feat, if you ask me.
The Broader Impact on College Football
This kind of recognition goes beyond just Fordham. In a time when college football is shifting in so many ways, highlighting academic success feels like a steadying influence.
NFF Chairman Archie Manning has talked about how the Honor Society helps show the value of football in shaping leaders—on and off the field. That’s something worth keeping in mind.
Future Prospects
Looking forward, I’d bet the NFF Hampshire Honor Society will keep growing. It’s been around for two decades now, and that track record is bound to inspire more student-athletes to aim high in the classroom.
It seems like more colleges are starting to invest in their athletes’ academic lives. That’s a trend I hope sticks around.
Conclusion
Fordham University’s showing in the 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society is a big deal. It really underscores the school’s dedication to supporting student-athletes who care about more than just the game.
This is actually the largest class in the program’s history. The 2026 honorees mark a pretty major milestone for academic achievement in college football.
If you’re curious and want the full scoop, you can check out the announcement here.
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