Four Earn Membership in NFF Hampshire Honor Society

IRVING, Texas – Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey, linebackers Ryan Guthrie and Kielan Whitner and long snapper Matt Keller were among a record-breaking 1,643 players selected for membership in the 2019 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society on Wednesday, April 10.

The NFF Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions who maintain a 3.2 GPA or better throughout their undergraduate careers. Syracuse has had at least one representative in 12 of the 13 years since the Hampshire Honor Society was founded in 2007.

Dungey, who finished his career as Syracuse's all-time leading passer, set or tied 20 school records during his time with the Orange. In addition to holding the all-time mark for passing yardage (9,340), Dungey set the Syracuse standards for passing yards per game (239.5), 300-yard passing games (12), yards of total offense (11,333), total offense per game (290.6), most plays (1,822) and most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (35). The 2018 ECAC Offensive Player of the Year and an All-ACC Third Team honoree, Dungey completed 226-of-371 (.609) passes for 2,868 yards with 18 touchdowns and rushed for 754 yards and 15 scores as a senior. An accounting major, Dungey is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and a three-time member of the ACC Honor Roll.

A junior-college transfer who came to the Orange in 2017, Guthrie led the ACC leader in tackles last fall with 107, including 16.5 for a loss, to earn All-ACC Second Team honors. Guthrie served as the director of events for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes as a senior and was named to the 2018 All-ACC Academic Team. He is a communication and rhetorical studies major.

Whitner saw action in 47 career games for the Orange at both safety and linebacker, totaling 176 tackles from 2015-18. In addition to compiling 100 tackles as senior, Whitner was recognized off the field as well, becoming the fifth Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® selection in program history for his superior commitment to volunteerism and enriching in the lives of others. Whitner is a past member of the Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and served as the public relations director for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes. A seven-time member of the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll and two-time ACC All-Academic Team honoree, Whitner is pursuing a degree in accounting.

Keller was the Orange's top long snapper for four seasons. He appeared in 42 career games, including 29 straight as the snapper for both punts and placement kicks. The treasurer for the Syracuse chapter of Uplifting Athletes, Keller is a seven-time member of the SU Athletic Director's Honor Roll and three-time ACC Honor Roll selection. Keller already holds a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is pursuing a master's degree in the same discipline.

"We are pleased to see another record number of athletes honored by the Hampshire Honor Society this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "For more than a decade, it has become 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."

Nominated by their respective schools, NFF Hampshire Honor Society members must have:

Completed their final year of playing eligibility in 2018; graduated players who have eligibility remaining but will not return to play in college may also be nominated.
Achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study; and
Met all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress toward degree requirements.
Been starters or significant contributors throughout the 2018 season.

The Hampshire Honor Society represents an important component of the NFF's rich history as an innovator in promoting the scholar-athlete ideal, which began in 1959 with the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.

Launched with a donation from Hall of Fame coach Earl "Red" Blaik, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, became the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's combined academic success, football performance and community leadership. Since its inception, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program has awarded $11.5 million to 854 top scholars and community leaders.

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Syracuse University Athletics

Four Earn Membership in NFF Hampshire Honor Society

Players Mentioned

Eric Dungey

Ryan Guthrie

Matt Keller

Kielan Whitner

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