It was recently announced that 10 University of Redlands football student-athletes became members of the 2021 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society by exceeding the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in their final year of eligibility as significant contributors or starters for the team.
A total of 897 football players from 256 colleges and universities throughout the country joined the Honor Society in its 15th year. Redlands is one of only 22 schools that had at least nine honorees in 2021 and one of 27 that have had at least one player in all 15 years of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society (2007-21).
Senior offensive linemen Nathan Abelon (San Bernardino, CA), Dylan Brown (San Diego, CA), Nicolas Gannuscio (Alta Loma, CA), and Calhoun Helmberger (Tacoma, WA), senior wide receiver/defensive back Marvin Perkins Jr. (Las Vegas, NV), senior wide receiver Rheji Seay (San Bernardino, CA), senior tight end Isaiah Archuleta (Palm Springs, CA), senior linebacker Jacob Harrold (Lake Havasu City, AZ), senior defensive back Carl Holmes (Fresno, CA), and senior defensive lineman Brandon Serrano (Chino, CA), represent the Bulldogs among the prestigious list. They each contributed to last year's successful campaign that produced a nine-win season for the first time since 1978 and advanced to the NCAA Championships for the ninth appearance in program history. They also helped Redlands reset the program scoring record for a single season with 445 points in 2019. Over three years the team holds an overall record of 25-6 and 17-3 in conference.
Abelon, Brown, Gannuscio, and Helmberger bolstered the offensive line with tenacity and strength. They helped the squad average 46.7% of its third downs conversions over the last three years and in 2019 specifically, helped the Bulldogs to rank first in the SCIAC with 44.4 points per game, second with 1,564 rushing yards, and second with 2,980 yards of total offense. Abelon will celebrate commencement with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology, Brown in Mathematics, Gannuscio in Physics, and Helmberger in Political Science and National Security.
Merging tackles as a defensive back and one tackle after an interception, Perkins and Seay combined for 62 hits over two years. Perkins plans on graduating this Spring with a degree in Health, Medicine, and Society while Seay will earn a degree in Media and Visual Culture Studies.
In addition, Archuleta competed in 10 games over two years and was targeted for two receptions for 12 yards. This Business Administration major is set to receive his degree in a couple of weeks.
Furthermore, Redlands' stingy defense contributed to the Maroon and Grays' national statistical rankings of second in turnover margin, third in rushing defense, and 11th for total defense last season.
Harrold enjoyed his best season to date in 2019 by competing in all 11 games and registering 37 tackles, including 23 solo hits. He was also credited with eight tackles for a loss of 23 yards. In three years he has racked up 63 total tackles and three sacks for 14-yards lost. He looks forward to graduating with a degree in Business Administration later this month.
Holmes also competed in all 11 games in the 2019 season. He tallied 21 tackles and one pass break-up in 2019, for 54 total tackles and nine break-ups over three seasons. Serrano was a staple in the trenches and made contributions in 10 games as a third-year member of the defensive line. He tallied 22 tackles, including 12 solo stops, and accounted for nine tackles for a loss of 33 yards in the 2019 season. They will both graduate with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology this spring.
Nearly all of the recipients were members of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) All-Academic team and a UR Scholar-Athlete at least once in their career.
For a complete list of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society members, please visit the organization's website.