University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Eight Football Student-Athletes Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society
4/16/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas. – The University of Delaware football program had eight student-athletes selected to the 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced Wednesday. The Blue Hens honorees include P Josh Cupitt, TE Caleb Fauria, OL Brock Gingrich, DB Tyron Herring, WR Phil Lutz, DL Ethan Saunders, WR Jake Thaw, and LB Dillon Trainer. Saunders and Trainer each found themselves on the list for the second-consecutive year.
The prestigious Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. An elite group of 2,532 players from 339 colleges and universities are being honored as members of the Society, establishing a new all-time high for membership, surpassing last year's record for the number of members in a single year during the program's 19-year history. The initiative has now honored 20,918 student-athletes since its inception.
Cupitt appeared in all 11 games for the Hens in 2024 as the team's primary punter. The business analytics MBA candidate punted 27 times for 1,160 yards last season, averaging 43 yards per punt.
Fauria earned a 2024 All-CAA Third Team selection in his first season in the 302 after transferring from Colorado. The international business major from Attleboro, Mass. played in all 11 games with 10 starts for the Blue Hens a season ago, finishing the season with 12 catches, 134 yards, and a touchdown.
Gingrich, a team captain, earned All-CAA First Team, All-American Second Team (Stats Perform), FCS All-American Fourth Team (Phil Steele), and FCS All-ECAC Team honors a season ago. The international business major appeared in and started nine games in 2024.
Herring, a team captain, was named to the All-CAA Second Team and earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl for his performance over 11 starts in 2024. The public administration major made 30 tackles with 1.5 TFLs, one interception, and two pass breakups during last year's campaign.
Lutz started all 11 games for UD in 2024, leading the team with 45 catches for 863 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to an All-CAA Third Team selection. The business administration MBA candidate set a Delaware record with at least one touchdown catch in each of the first seven games of the season.
Saunders, a business administration MBA candidate, appeared in all 11 games for the Hens last season with two starts. The Waynesboro, Pa. native made 23 tackles with two fumble recoveries and finished tied for third on the team with 5.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.
Thaw, an international business major, earned an All-CAA Second Team nod as a punt returner in his first season with the Blue & Gold. The Michigan transfer appeared in all 11 games for UD last season, finishing second on the team with 41 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns.
Trainer, a business administration MBA candidate, is a two-time team captain who earned an All-CAA Honorable Mention selection last season. The Philadelphia, Pa. native appeared in eight games with seven starts, ranking second on the team in tackles (44) while adding 3.5 TFLs.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for Delaware's inaugural 2025 campaign at the FBS level are now on sale. Fans who purchase season tickets can save up to 27-percent compared to single-game tickets. The Blue Hens will host six games at Delaware Stadium, and season ticket holders will have first access to upgrade their seats or parking, as well as purchase additional tickets for home and away games - including UD's matchups at Colorado (Sep. 6) and Wake Forest (Nov. 22). Partial plans and select individual game tickets will be available later this spring.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
The prestigious Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and sprint football who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. An elite group of 2,532 players from 339 colleges and universities are being honored as members of the Society, establishing a new all-time high for membership, surpassing last year's record for the number of members in a single year during the program's 19-year history. The initiative has now honored 20,918 student-athletes since its inception.
Cupitt appeared in all 11 games for the Hens in 2024 as the team's primary punter. The business analytics MBA candidate punted 27 times for 1,160 yards last season, averaging 43 yards per punt.
Fauria earned a 2024 All-CAA Third Team selection in his first season in the 302 after transferring from Colorado. The international business major from Attleboro, Mass. played in all 11 games with 10 starts for the Blue Hens a season ago, finishing the season with 12 catches, 134 yards, and a touchdown.
Gingrich, a team captain, earned All-CAA First Team, All-American Second Team (Stats Perform), FCS All-American Fourth Team (Phil Steele), and FCS All-ECAC Team honors a season ago. The international business major appeared in and started nine games in 2024.
Herring, a team captain, was named to the All-CAA Second Team and earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl for his performance over 11 starts in 2024. The public administration major made 30 tackles with 1.5 TFLs, one interception, and two pass breakups during last year's campaign.
Lutz started all 11 games for UD in 2024, leading the team with 45 catches for 863 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to an All-CAA Third Team selection. The business administration MBA candidate set a Delaware record with at least one touchdown catch in each of the first seven games of the season.
Saunders, a business administration MBA candidate, appeared in all 11 games for the Hens last season with two starts. The Waynesboro, Pa. native made 23 tackles with two fumble recoveries and finished tied for third on the team with 5.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.
Thaw, an international business major, earned an All-CAA Second Team nod as a punt returner in his first season with the Blue & Gold. The Michigan transfer appeared in all 11 games for UD last season, finishing second on the team with 41 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns.
Trainer, a business administration MBA candidate, is a two-time team captain who earned an All-CAA Honorable Mention selection last season. The Philadelphia, Pa. native appeared in eight games with seven starts, ranking second on the team in tackles (44) while adding 3.5 TFLs.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for Delaware's inaugural 2025 campaign at the FBS level are now on sale. Fans who purchase season tickets can save up to 27-percent compared to single-game tickets. The Blue Hens will host six games at Delaware Stadium, and season ticket holders will have first access to upgrade their seats or parking, as well as purchase additional tickets for home and away games - including UD's matchups at Colorado (Sep. 6) and Wake Forest (Nov. 22). Partial plans and select individual game tickets will be available later this spring.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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