IRVING, Texas. - The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society members and earning it for the University of Redlands Football program was
Joey Newell (Duvall, WA), Aaron Muñiz (Fontana, CA), Jaeden Thorn (Seattle, WA), Sami Abdul-Majid (Riverside, CA), Dominic Vargas (Riverside, CA), Benjamin Fitchett (Whittier, CA), and
Aidan Petruescu (La Mirada, CA).
Selected players must be nominated, a senior who is graduating this spring/summer, and completed their final year of eligibility in 2025 or a graduate player who earned their bachelor's degree and competed in 2025 regardless of if they have future eligibility. Members were also required to be a starter or contributor during the season and maintained a minimum 3.2 grade point average (GPA).
Redlands is one of 23 college and universities that have had at least one player selected in all 20 years of the NFF Hampshire Honors Society. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society has recognized 23,568 student-athletes from 691 schools since 2007. The 2026 class, which includes a record 2,596 players from 365 schools, represents the largest group in the program's history and underscores the sustained academic achievement taking place across all levels of college football.
Newell, a Business Administration major, was the Bulldogs kickoff specialist. He had 35 kickoffs which totaled 2,184 yards for an average of 62.4 yards. He had touchbacks on just over half of his attempts with 18. He was also voted 2nd Team All-SCIAC.
Muñiz, a Business Administration major, was one of the Bulldogs top pass rushers. He finished this season with 31 total tackles, five tackles for a loss (TFL), and 2.5 sacks. He was also voted 1st Team All-SCIAC and 3rd Team All-West Region.
Thorn, a Biology major, made 58 total tackles, 10 went for a loss, and two were sacks. His tackles and TFL totals were both career highs. He added two passes defended, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.
Abdul Majid, a Biology major, played on the interior of the defensive line. He made 12 total tackles, had 1.5 TFL's, and 0.5 a sack. His 1.5 TFL's came in a road win at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS).
Vargas, an Accounting major, helped anchor the offensive line as the Bulldogs' center. Redlands averaged 114.8 yards per game on the ground and another 144.5 yards per game through the air.
Fitchett, an Environmental Science major, played all 10 games this season. The offense as a whole totaled 259.3 yards per game, while scoring 18 touchdowns. He was also voted 2nd Team All-SCIAC.
Petruescu, a Communicative Disorders in Speech major, was the Bulldogs' punter. He had 60 punts go for 2,446 yards, a 40.8 average. He had 16 fair catches, 18 were inside the 20, and eight went 50 yards or more. He also made four field goals with a long being of 40 yards. His 60 punts are eighth most in program history, while his total yardage is fourth.
ABOUT THE HAMPSHIRE FOUNDATION
The Hampshire Foundation is the charitable arm of The Hampshire Companies, a privately-held, fully-integrated real estate firm that has more than 60 years of hands-on, cycle-tested experience in acquiring, developing, leasing, repositioning, managing, financing and disposing of real estate. Founded by Jon F. Hanson, who served as NFF Chairman from 1994-2006, Hampshire is headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. Learn more at www.hampshirere.com.
