IRVING, Texas – Five former and two current San Diego State football players were named to the 20223 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. The group of Aztecs consists of Cedarious Barfield, Jack Browning, Kenan Christon, Wyatt Draeger, Cooper McDonald, Mark Redman and Samuela Tuihalamaka.
To be eligible for the award, the athlete must own at least a 3.2 undergraduate GPA, be a starter or significant contributor throughout the 2023 campaign, and will graduate this spring or summer who has been out of high school at least three years.
Barfield registered 56 total tackles, third most on the team during the 2023 season. His four interceptions led the team, ranked tied for third in the Mountain West and tied for 18th in FBS. He also added three pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. A team captain, Barfield had a 3.61 cumulative GPA while earning his degree in education counseling.
Browning was a second team all-Mountain West selection and semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, honoring the nation's best punter. Handling all the kicking and punting duties, he made 15 of his 22 field goals with a perfect 23-for-23 mark on PATs while totaling 54 punts for 2,449 yards (45.35 avg). Browning held a 3.38 cumulative GPA, majoring in kinesiology (fitness specialist).
Christon earned an all-Mountain West honorable mention as a kick returner and led the team with 910 all-purpose yards. Starting 10 of the team's 12 games, he rushed for 378 yards on 96 carries to go along with 29 catches for 201 yards. His 331 total kick return yards ranked fourth in the Mountain West and his 13 kick returns ranked fifth. Christon was granted a fifth year of eligibility after receiving his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies with a 3.38 cumulative GPA.
Draeger played in all 12 games in his senior year. Coming off the bench, he made 14 tackles with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He held a 4.00 cumulative GPA majoring in education counseling and has received a fifth year of eligibility.
McDonald started all 12 games in his final season as an Aztec, recording 43 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He owned a 3.63 cumulative GPA, earning his degree in communication.
Redman was the leading receiver during the 2023 campaign, making 37 catches for 394 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Recording multiple receptions in 11 of the 12 games, he tied for most snaps of any offensive player on the team. He earned his degree in communication with a 3.37 cumulative GPA.
Tuihalamaka appeared in nine games during his final collegiate season and recorded five tackles, one going for a loss. He maintained a 3.52 cumulative GPA and earned his degree in education counseling.
San Diego State football enters a new era for the 2024 season under new head coach Sean Lewis. Fans will get their first chance to see the new look Aztecs in the Aztec Fast Showcase presented by Aztec Link on Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium.
To register for up to six free tickets, please visit goaztecs.com/AztecFAST.