Six Bearcats Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society

Beswick-Seidl, Duke, Juarez, Ovits, B. Smith, and P. Smith received the honor.

National Football Foundation logo plus a partial image of a football, both on an artificial turf field
April 10, 2026

SALEM, Ore. — Six members of the Willamette University football team have been named to the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, as announced by the NFF and College Hall of Fame.

The Bearcats' 2026 honorees are:

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and sprint football who maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. The Willamette contingent joins a record-breaking class of 2,624 players from 368 schools.

To be eligible for the Hampshire Honor Society, a student-athlete must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a senior who is completing their final year of playing eligibility in 2025; or be a graduated player who has been out of high school at least 10 years.

  • Achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher throughout entire course of undergraduate study.

  • Met all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.

  • Been a starter or significant contributor throughout the 2025 season.

The 2026 class marks a significant milestone for the program, which has now recognized 23,596 student-athletes since its inception in 2007. The induction of these six Bearcats continues Willamette's long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence in the Northwest Conference.

The Hampshire Honor Society is supported by the Hampshire Foundation, the charitable arm of The Hampshire Companies. For more information on the NFF and the Hampshire Honor Society, visit footballfoundation.org.