IRVING, Texas — After excelling both on the field and in the classroom, five William & Mary football standouts were selected to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2025 Hampshire Honor Society.
The impressive group of W&M student-athletes honored includes wide receiver Matthew Akuchie, linebacker Jonathan Hammond, linebacker John Kearney, kicker Josh McCormick and offensive lineman Ryan McKenna.
The NFF Hampshire Honor Society recognizes standout college football players from all divisions who completed their final year of eligibility and will graduate this spring, or have already graduated and have remaining eligibility, and maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career.
A team captain, McKenna is a two-time All-CAA selection and a three-year starter at center. In addition to being selected as a 2024 Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, McKenna also earned VaSID All-State honors for the second consecutive season last fall after helping W&M rank fourth nationally in rushing (232.8) and 25th in total offense (413.2). The Doylestown, Pa., native has earned CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll accolades every year of his career.
Following a standout career at Davidson in which he was a four-time All-Pioneer Football League selection, including a two-time first-team honoree, Hammond started all 12 games for the Tribe last fall. In addition to tying for fourth in the CAA in fumbles recovered (2) and tied for 11th in sacks (5.5), he also posted 43 tackles, 7.0 TFL and a forced fumble. The Dunwoody, Ga., native is a four-time PFL Academic Honor Roll selection and earned a spot on the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll during the fall.
One of the CAA’s top special teams standouts in 2024, Kearney garnered all-conference distinction after appearing in all 12 games and totaling nine tackles. Highlighting his list of outstanding performances was his blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown by Clayton Dobler in the win against VMI. The Ridgewood, N.J., native earned CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll accolades during the last three years.
W&M’s kickoff specialist in all 12 games last season, McCormick set a single-season school record with 34 touchbacks. Additionally, he averaged 61.7 yards per kickoff. The Austin, Texas native earned CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll distinction each of the last two years.
Akuchie saw action in all 12 games last season and earned a start. Highlighting his senior campaign was an impressive effort in the win against Bryant when he posted a touchdown catch and totaled a pair of receptions for 35 yards. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native garnered CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll accolades during the fall.
