Success with honor, on and off the field.

Football stars and scholars Sam Ficken and Mike Hull earned National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society memberships following their huge senior seasons. The NFF lists the following requirements for admittance:

• Being a starter or a significant contributor in one’s last year of eligibility (or a senior who has declared for the NFL Draft) at an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III or an NAIA college or university;
• Achieving a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study; and
• Meeting all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.

Mike Hull is the most recent Nittany Lion to dominate at Linebacker U, as he led the team in tackles 11 times last year before being named team MVP. Sam Ficken, of course, kicked a walk-off extra point in Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl win in Yankee Stadium. Arguably the team’s two best players from last season showed that they get it done in the classroom as well as on the gridiron.

Ficken was ranked as ESPN’s No. 1 kicking prospect entering the NFL Draft, but no kickers were taken, and soon enough, he was invited to the Kansas City Chiefs‘ minicamp. Hull also went undrafted and ended up signing a rookie free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins after speculation that he would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

(h/t Penn State Athletics)

Photo: Bobby Chen

About the Author

Doug Leeson

Doug is a sophomore and Onward State's Assistant Managing Editor. Dislikes: popcorn, Rutgers, and a low #TimberCount. Likes: "Frozen," Rec Hall, and you. Contact him via email at dougleeson@onwardstate.com or on Twitter @DougLeeson.

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