IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame announced the members of the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society on Wednesday. The Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better throughout their college careers.

This year's elite group consists of 1,989 players from 339 schools that span across all divisions of college football for the society's 18th year. The Fighting Hawks led all FCS programs with 20 players named to the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. North Dakota was also second overall, trailing only Nebraska, which had 21 honorees.

North Dakota has been represented every year since joining Division I in 2008 and had a school-record 20 student-athletes among the latest honorees: offensive lineman Seth Anderson*, defensive back Malachi Buckner, defensive back Sammy Fort, tight end Max Gunderson*, defensive back Devin Hembry*, defensive back Kadon Kauppinen, linebacker Kason Kelley*, offensive lineman Easton Kilty, wide receiver Elijah Klein*, linebacker Matt Koshiol, offensive lineman Jack Kuntz*, offensive lineman Colin Lavell, defensive lineman Ben McNaboe, linebacker Ted Mullin, linebacker Josh Navratil*, defensive lineman Bartholomew Ogbu, defensive lineman Jake Saltonstall, running back Luke Skokna, kicker Brady Stevens and wide receiver Jack Wright.

The Fighting Hawks listed above with an asterisk after their name have already graduated but will be coming back for the 2024 season.

"We are thrilled to honor a record number of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Over the last 18 years, the Hampshire Honor Society has served as 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."

With the 20 Fighting Hawks in this year's class, North Dakota has now had 88 players named to the society, which began in 2007. The 20 players are the most Fighting Hawks named to the Honor Society in program history, breaking the previous record of 12 UND graduates making the group last season. North Dakota is one of 17 colleges and universities to have at least one player earn the honor in all 18 years of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society.

Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
* Been a senior player who will graduate this spring/summer and just completed his final year of playing eligibility in 2023; or be a graduated player who has been out of high school at least three years
* Have completed their final year of playing eligibility in 2023 or have graduated
* Met all NCAA- or NAIA-mandated progress toward their degree requirements; and
* Been starters or made significant playing contributions throughout the 2023 season.