By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
IRVING, Texas – Each spring, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame celebrate college football student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom as their athletic careers have come to an end.
This list, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, recognizes senior or graduate football players who have completed their eligibility and maintained a minimum of a 3.2 grade point average, while being significant contributors through the 2022 season.
Tennessee Tech had five selected to the list with linebacker Seth Carlisle, quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall, defensive back Josh Reliford, offensive lineman Spencer Stachyra and defensive back Christian Watson on the roll.
In all, 1,734 student-athletes from 328 schools were selected – a record number for the organization – across all levels of NCAA, NAIA and sprint football.
"We are thrilled to honor another impressive group of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell. "Over the last 17 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."
Eastern Illinois was the only other Ohio Valley Conference school with selections to the honor society, picking up four.
Carlisle received his master's degree in business administration in December with a 3.7 GPA. Recently honored by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's Academic All-Star Team, Carlisle was also a two-time finalist for the STATS FCS FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award and a semifinalist for the NFF's William V. Campbell Trophy. Carlisle has also been a team captain, the 2022 winner of the Sonny Allen Leadership Award and a recipient of the OVC's Scholar-Athlete Award among many other accomplishments in his career.
The All-OVC second-teamer led the Golden Eagles with 98 tackles, including three for-loss, with five pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in the 2022 campaign. He had five double-digit tackle games, including 16 at Kennesaw State.
Oatsvall, in his lone season with Tech, collected the third-best single-season tally in total offensive yards (2,742) and the eighth-best passing total (2,271). He also collected the second-most combined touchdowns in a season with 24.
Already named a Charles W. Hawkins III University Scholar-Athlete by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the NFF, the 2022 Robert Hill Johnson winner had a 3.33 GPA when completing his master's degree in curriculum and instruction.
Reliford, a first-team All-OVC pick, finished second on the team in total tackles with 84, while also collecting a team-best 8.5 tackles-for-loss for 30 yards and 1.5 sacks for 11 yards. He also had six pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
The Fitzgerald, Ga., native completed his master's degree in business administration with a 3.25 in December.
Stachyra was a key component on the offensive front, blocking for an offense that compiled 1,913 rushing yards and 2,418 passing yards – an average of 393.7 total offensive yards per game. The Burns Harbor, Ind., native is wrapping up his master's in professional studies, media and strategic communications with a 4.0 GPA.
Watson, with a 3.46 GPA, is expected to complete his bachelor's degree in marketing. The Duluth, Ga., native saw action in nine games with 10 tackles and two pass breakups.
