IRVING, Texas – Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brandon Carr (Reisterstown, Md./Franklin), senior offensive lineman Aidan Gaugan (Monrovia, Md./Urbana/Wheeling), graduate student quarterback Michael Hardyway (Winchester, Cal./Ocenside/Bucknell), redshirt senior offensive lineman Ty Lucas (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg), senior defensive lineman Daniel McPherson (Columbia, Md./Howard), senior fullback Mason Miller (Wardensville, W.Va.East Hardy), senior wide receiver Marcus Nicholson (Baltimore, Md./Dundalk), graduate student quarterback/wide receiver Chase Soper (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield Secondary School/SUNY Brockport), graduate student running back Grant Swinehart (Bridgewater, Va/Turner Ashby/VMI), and senior offensive lineman Jayson Williams (Waynesboro, Va./Stuarts Draft) of the Shepherd University football team have been named to the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of football players from all divisions of NCAA, NAIA, and sprint football who have maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their career.

Celebrating its 20th year, 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.

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

• A senior player, who will graduate this spring/summer, and just completed his final year of playing eligibility in 2025; or
• A graduated player or grad transfer, who has already earned a bachelor's degree and competed in the 2025 season (even if the player has remaining eligibility and may return to play next season).

And must have:

• Attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale); and
• Been starters or contributors throughout the 2025 season.