JONESBORO, Ark. (4/27/16) – Former Arkansas State punter Luke Ferguson and defensive back Raziel Velgis were named Wednesday to the 2016 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.

The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career. A total of 872 players from 277 schools qualified for membership as the society celebrates its 10th year, setting a new record for the number of players honored during the history of the program.

Arkansas state has now seen 19 players named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society all-time as this year's inductees join former selections Brock Barnhill (2015), Sterling Young (2015), Tyler Greve (2015), Alan Wright (2015), Kenny Rains (2015), Brian Davis (2014), Ryan Aplin (2013), Nathan Herrold (2013), Taylor Stockemer (2013), Neely Sullivent (2013), Tom Castilaw (2012), Derek Lawson (2012), Jeff Blake (2011), Adam Gaston (2011), Alex Carrington (2010), Taylor Clements (2010) and Matt Reibe (2008).

Both Ferguson and Velgis helped lead the Red Wolves to 34 victories and three Sun Belt Conference championships during their time with the program from 2012-15. Ferguson has already earned his bachelor's degree in Marketing, and Velgis is on course to graduate this spring with a bachelor's degree in Biology Pre-professional.

The 872 players honored in 2016 is a new high water mark, eclipsing the previous record of 838 honorees in 2014. The initiative has honored 6,624 student-athletes since its inception, and the program has experienced growth every year in either members or school participation since its launch in 2007.