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IRVING, TX. - Four members of the West Liberty University football team were honored by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) on Wednesday as members of the 2020 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of select college football players from all divisions of play who have completed their eligibility while maintaining a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. An impressive 1,432 players from 364 schools qualified for membership in the Society's 14th year.
Representing the Hilltoppers on this year's honor roll are defensive lineman Zach Haught and H-Back Ridge Durbin along with defensive backs Logan Deri and Brandon Morrison. West Liberty's four selections led all Mountain State colleges and universities.
To receive consideration for the Hampshire Honor Society, student-athletes must have completed their final season of playing eligibility in 2019 and be nominated by their school administration. They must have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher throughout their academic careers, met all NCAA-mandated progress toward degree requirements and be starters or significant contributors throughout the 2019 season.
Haught was a key member of WLU's defensive line rotation, playing in 9 games with 2 starts during the 2019 season. He had a season-high 3 solo tackles at West Virginia State and recorded tackles-for-loss in the overtime win at Walsh (Ohio) and the season finale against Charleston. The New Martinsville, W.Va. native has a 3.55 GPA as he works toward his Master's in Business Administration on the hilltop.
Durbin, a returning All-MEC standout, started every game for the second consecutive season as a jack-of-all-trades from his H-Back spot. He had two touchdown catches in the win against Concord and also hailed in a TD toss against rival Fairmont State. A native of Howard, Ohio, Durbin finished with a sparkling 3.87 GPA in Mathematics Education.
Deri, a four-time All-MEC selection in the WLU secondary, ranks among the school's all-time leaders with more than 300 career tackles. He had 5 games with double-figure tackles last fall, earning MEC Player of the Week honors with 15 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble against nationally-ranked Notre Dame. A North Huntingdon, Pa. product, Deri carries a 3.27 GPA as he works toward his Master's in Business Administration at West Liberty.
Morrison, the only 2-time NCAA Division II Academic All-American in Hilltopper football history, ranked among the team leaders with 44 tackles in his final season.
He had a season-high 9 tackles at West Virginia State and had a key interception to set up the comeback win at West Virginia Wesleyan. The Huntington, W.Va. native is carrying a 3.86 GPA as he wraps up his master's degree in Criminology.
"We are pleased to honor another impressive group of athletes as part of this year's Hampshire Honor Society," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, 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."