Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: CARY EDMONDSON - FRESNO STATE
Four named to NFF Honor Society
4/13/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football, Student-Athlete Services
Fresno State had four players from the 2021 team earn the honors.
IRVING, Texas - The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today the members of the 2022 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers.
Fresno State had four players from the 2021 team earn the honors in graduating seniors Alex Akingbulu (OL), Tyson Maeva (LB), Juan Rodriguez (TE) and Matt Smith (OL). The Bulldogs' four selections are the most in a season since 2019, and the third-most in a season since the honor society's inception in 2007.
Akingbulu, who excelled academically as a Bulldog and started all 13 games in 2021, earned his first postgraduate degree with Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction while working towards his MBA and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.478.
In his first year as a Bulldog, Maeva made an impact on the field and in the classroom. A 2021 team captain, Maeva maintained a 3.346 GPA while working towards his master's of education with a focus in curriculum and instruction.
Rodriguez, the Bulldogs' starting tight end for a majority of 2021, carried a 3.750 GPA while earning his master's of education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction.
Smith, Fresno State's Campbell Trophy nominee for 2021, earned another academic achievement in his Bulldog career. He had the top grade point average of the group, maintaining a 4.00 GPA in his master's of education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction.
An elite group of 1,559 players from 313 schools qualified for membership in 2022, the Society's 16th year. The 1,559 honorees are the second most in a single year during the program's history. Around the Mountain West this season, 27 student-athletes from nine different schools received the recognition. The initiative has now honored 14,640 student-athletes since its inception.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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Fresno State had four players from the 2021 team earn the honors in graduating seniors Alex Akingbulu (OL), Tyson Maeva (LB), Juan Rodriguez (TE) and Matt Smith (OL). The Bulldogs' four selections are the most in a season since 2019, and the third-most in a season since the honor society's inception in 2007.
Akingbulu, who excelled academically as a Bulldog and started all 13 games in 2021, earned his first postgraduate degree with Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction while working towards his MBA and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.478.
In his first year as a Bulldog, Maeva made an impact on the field and in the classroom. A 2021 team captain, Maeva maintained a 3.346 GPA while working towards his master's of education with a focus in curriculum and instruction.
Rodriguez, the Bulldogs' starting tight end for a majority of 2021, carried a 3.750 GPA while earning his master's of education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction.
Smith, Fresno State's Campbell Trophy nominee for 2021, earned another academic achievement in his Bulldog career. He had the top grade point average of the group, maintaining a 4.00 GPA in his master's of education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction.
An elite group of 1,559 players from 313 schools qualified for membership in 2022, the Society's 16th year. The 1,559 honorees are the second most in a single year during the program's history. Around the Mountain West this season, 27 student-athletes from nine different schools received the recognition. The initiative has now honored 14,640 student-athletes since its inception.
Nominated by their respective schools, members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society must have:
- Completed their final year of playing eligibility in Fall 2021;
- Graduated players, who have remaining eligibility but will not return to collegiate play (e.g. declared for NFL Draft or retired from football), may also be nominated.
- Attained a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2 (4.0 scale);
- Met all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements; and
- Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2021 season.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateFootball
Players Mentioned
OL
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LB
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TE
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OL
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