By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Five Willamette University football players have been chosen for the ninth annual class of the Hampshire Honor Society, sponsored by the National Football Foundation. The Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions who are seniors and have maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average during their collegiate careers.

Willamette seniors being honored this year after completing their eligibility during the 2014 season are Matt Holder (Sr., DL, Walnut Creek, CA/Northgate HS), Jack Nelson (Sr., ILB, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS), Daley Smith (Sr., CB, St. Paul, OR/St. Paul HS), Ryan Springer (Sr., OL, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) and Shawn Wong (Sr., WR, Fremont, CA/American HS).

All five of Willamette's selections will graduate this spring. Holder continuing master's level studies in Willamette's 3/2 MBA program.

The Hampshire Honor Society class of 2015 includes 817 players from 278 colleges and universities. At least one player was selected from more college and universities this year than in any other class since the Hampshire Honor Society was started in 2007. This year's athletes were nominated after completing the fall semester in 2014.

Since 2007, a total of 35 Bearcats have been selected for the Hampshire Honor Society.

Over the past four years, Willamette has earned a combined record of 24-14 (.632). The Bearcats were 8-2 in 2012, 7-2 in 2013 and 5-4 in 2014.

 

Matt Holder (Sr., DL) was a defensive lineman for the Bearcats over the past four seasons. He competed in three games during 2015.

 

Holder is participating in Willamette's 3/2 MBA Program. He maintained a 3.30 grade point average through the fall semester.

 

Jack Nelson (Sr., ILB) was named First Team All-America by D3football.com and was chosen First Team Capital One Academic All-America in 2014. He was selected First Team All-West Region in 2014 and was named First Team All-Northwest Conference in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 

This past season, he led Willamette and the NWC with 104 total tackles, 63 solo tackles and 41 assists this season. He ranked 18th in NCAA Division III with 11.6 tackles per game and was 16th in the nation with 7.0 solo tackles per game. He made 9.0 tackles for loss, with 3.5 quarterback sacks.

He led the Bearcats in tackles for three consecutive seasons. In 2012, he registered 72 total tackles (45 solo, 27 assists). During the 2013 season, he contributed 112 total tackles (67 solo, 45 assists), ranked ninth in NCAA Division III in tackles per game (12.4) and was seventh in solo tackles per game (7.4).

Nelson set Willamette career records with 315 total tackles, 191 unassisted tackles and 124 assists. He was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award in 2013 and 2014. The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player.

At Willamette, Nelson is majoring in Economics. He owned a 3.85 GPA at the end of the fall semester.

 

Daley Smith (Sr., CB) played in 22 games during his career. He competed in all nine games in 2013 and saw action in six games in 2014. He achieved 34 total tackles in his career, including a personal-best 15 tackles (10 unassisted) in 2014.

 

In four years at WU, he broke up 17 passes. He recorded 10 of his pass break-ups this past season. In 2013, he earned 10 tackles (9 solo), broke up six passes and recovered a fumble.

Smith is majoring in Economics at Willamette. Through last fall's semester he owned a 3.60 GPA.

 

Ryan Springer (Sr., OG) was chosen First Team All-NWC in 2014 and earned Second Team All-NWC honors in 2013. This past season, he started all nine games and helped the Bearcats gain 3,721 total yards, including 2,330 rushing yards.

 

Willamette's 258.9 rushing yards per game ranked 16th in NCAA Division III. Springer also contributed to Willamette achieving 1,391 passing yards during the season.

The Bearcats scored 27 touchdowns on the ground and 12 touchdowns through the air in 2014. During his career, Springer played in 24 games for the Bearcats, including 23 games in the past three seasons. He started a total of 16 games as a junior and a senior.

Springer is majoring in Exercise Science. He has a 3.30 cumulative GPA.

 

Shawn Wong (Sr., WR/KR) carried the ball six times this past season from his wide receiver position and gained 79 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown covered 54 yards against California Lutheran University on Sept. 20, 2014. Wong also provided quality blocking in the outside running game.

 

In 2013, he caught two passes for 15 yards. He also returned four kickoffs a total of 69 yards in 2013, and brought back four kickoffs for 47 yards in 2014.

As a student, Wong is majoring in Economics with a minor in Chinese Studies. He entered the current semester with a 3.82 cumulative GPA.

Qualifications for membership in the NFF's Hampshire Honor Society

Being a starter or significant substitute in the last year of eligibility at an accredited NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III or NAIA college or university.
Achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout undergraduate study
Meeting all NCAA-mandated progress-toward-degree requirements

Willamette Football Players in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society

2014-15
Matt Holder, DL
Jack Nelson, ILB
Daley Smith, CB
Ryan Springer, OG
Shawn Wong, WR/KR

2013-14
Wyatt Briggs, DE
Kyle Davey, DE
Josh Dean, QB
Kyle Derby, PK
Joseph Harman, WR
Cuyler Hudson, OL
Ryan Johnston, WR
T.J. Matsumoto, FS
Matt Parr, ILB

2012-13
Jake Knecht, WR
Tommy Laird, PK
Matt Millar, DE
Cody Pastorino, S
Jake Turner, WR
Wes Wenzel, ILB
Zane Wise, OG

2011-12
Harmon Bruno, OLB
Ben Kittelson, OT
Kenny Miller, C/OG

2010-11
Luis Guerra, OT/OG
Scott Schoettgen, WR
Dennis Plzak, OG

2008-09
Jack Bevins, ILB

2007-08
Matt Bicocca, PK
Justin Cole, OG
Ben Fennimore, FS
Stephen Shamus, LS
Kevin Whipps, QB

2006-07
Kevin Dean, FB
Ben Weyerhaeuser, ILB