IRVING, Texas –The Friends University Football Falcons have placed 10 student-athletes on the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society list, the organization announced today (Apr. 8) Friends was one of only two KCAC schools (Evangel) represented on this prestigious list.
2,596 players representing 365 schools qualified for this award in 2026, making it the largest membership class in history as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary.
According to the NFF, nominees must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a senior player graduating this spring/summer who completed his final year of playing eligibility in 2025; or
- Be 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.
The Football Falcon student athletes that received this honor are listed below, with major listed in parenthesis:
Sy Aponte (Conservation Science)
Andrew Arnold (Business Administration)
Makhi Byrd (Cyber Security)
Doug Grider (Teacher and Learning)
Ethan Grimett (Business Administration)
Cole Herman (Business Administration)
Austin Pratt (Business Administration)
Barrett Roads (Physical Education/Teacher Ed)
Kel Stroud (Physical Education/Teacher Ed)
Cameron Summerer (Mechanical Engineering)
For the official release from the National Football Foundation, including the complete list, click HERE.
