Seven members of the Valparaiso University football program have earned National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society membership for their performance in the classroom.

Offensive lineman Aaron Byrd (Bradley, Ill. / Bourbonnais), defensive lineman Jake Marinelli (Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake), quarterback Ben Nimz (Waukesha, Wis. / Catholic Memorial), offensive lineman Brendan O’Doherty (Bay Village, Ohio / Bay), linebacker Trey Psota (Bay Village, Ohio / Bay), wide receiver Ollie Reese (Franklin, Tenn. / Battle Ground) and defensive back Kohlton Sherman (Millington, Mich. / Millington) qualified for membership in the Society, which recognizes seniors who own a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above.

In addition, defensive lineman Cade Bishop (Lafayette, Ind. / William Henry Harrison), long snapper Doug Haugh (Redlands, Calif. / Redlands Senior), punter Ben Niesner (Black Diamond, Wash. / Tahoma [Portland State]) and linebacker Gavin Twigg (Acworth, Ga. / Allatoona) were already inducted last year.

This continues a successful year of academic achievement for the Valpo football program. Seven players earned Academic All-Pioneer Football League status, Niesner was named an FCA ADA Academic All-Star and the team tied a program record for number of PFL Honor Roll members.