NFF RELEASE
 
IRVING, Texas – The Washington University in St. Louis football program saw 16 Bears named to the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced Wednesday.
 
Now its 20^th year, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society recognizes academic excellence across NCAA and NAIA football. Since it's inception the NFF Hampshire Honor Society has recognized 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools. The 2026 class includes a record 2,596 players from 365 schools.
 
To receive this honor, players must be seniors who will graduate this spring/summer, must have completed their final year of eligibility, must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale, and must have been starters or contributors during the 2025 season.
 
All-time across all divisions, WashU football ranks sixth with 185 members of the NFF Hampshire society. Amongst Division III, the Bears rank third.
 
The recipients for the Bears are: Salomon Dessalines, Will Gardner, Xander Georgoulis, Andrew Grisack, Caiden Hill, TJ Houston, Luke Johnston, Kollin Kolb, Anthony Kuceba, Alex Lassoued, Gyvnn Mendenhall, DJ Montgomery, Joseph Peters, Ryan Schmadtke, Fred Ware and Brady Willmer.
 
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection, and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
 
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Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.