IRVING, Texas – Eight members of the Drake University football team have been named to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced on Wednesday. Taylor Coleman, Rory Driscoll, Colby Dunn, Josh Lee, Aaron Melton, Grant Menard, Michael Roane and Zach Zlabis were all named to the prestigious group that is comprised of college football student-athletes that have maintained a 3.2 or higher grade point average throughout their collegiate careers.
 
In addition to maintaining a level of academic excellence, being a starter or significant on-field contributor and meeting all NCAA-mandated progress towards a degree is also needed for inclusion in the Hampshire Society. The group is comprised entirely of student-athletes that have met those requirements and exhausted their eligibility.
 
"We are pleased to see a record number of colleges and universities embrace the Hampshire Honor Society this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Over the past 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."
 
A total of 1,089 student-athletes across all divisions of college football were honored with 42 coming from the Pioneer Football League.
 
Coleman was a two-time All-PFL and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection and named 2014 PFL Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Driscoll started in six games and was a significant contributor in all 11 games last year.
 
Dunn helped anchor the offensive line as he started all 11 games in 2016.
 
Lee was named 2016 PFL Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team All-PFL selection.
 
Melton was a two-time All-PFL honoree, while Menard garnered 2016 All-PFL honorable mention and second-team Academic All-PFL honors.
 
Roane also earned honorable mention All-PFL honors.
 
Zlabis, who battled through injuries during his first three seasons, became a two-year starter to close out his collegiate career.