NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Ty Dugger, DB – Harding (AR)
3.92 GPA – Accounting
Head Coach: Paul Simmons | Athletics Director: Jeff Morgan
Faculty Athletics Representative: Stephen Burks
Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant Scholar-Athlete Award
Ty Dugger has been a cornerstone of Harding's dominance in Division II football, helping the Bisons capture a national championship and sustain their place among the nation's elite. The Searcy, Arkansas, native becomes the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete in Harding history.
On pace to graduate in December 2025, Dugger is pursuing an accelerated dual-degree program in accounting (3.92 GPA) and information systems (4.0 GPA). A two-time CSC First Team Academic All-American and two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, he has also been honored three times on the Academic All-Great American Conference Team and is a member of the Alpha Chi honor society.
A three-year letterman and 2025 team captain, Dugger was named a 2024 D2CCA Second Team All-American, 2023 Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American, and a two-time D2CCA All-Super Region 3 selection, including First Team honors in 2024 and Second Team in 2023. He is a two-time First Team All-GAC honoree.
During his career, Dugger has compiled 130 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 8 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), 17 pass breakups, and 1 blocked kick, along with 25 punt returns for 277 yards (11.1 avg.) and 1 touchdown. Thus far in 2025, Dugger ranks third on the team in total tackles with 33. He has 1 interception and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Dugger has been instrumental in Harding's sustained success, leading the Bisons to a perfect 15-0 record and the 2023 Division II National Championship, followed by a 12-2 campaign in 2024 that ended in the Division II Quarterfinals and a No. 4 national ranking. The Bisons captured back-to-back GAC titles, winning outright in 2023 and sharing the crown in 2024. This season, the No. 2-ranked Bisons are 7-0.
Dugger is an active member of the Titans Social Club and participates in Bison Buddies, an elementary school mentorship initiative that connects student-athletes with local children.
(All stats as of Oct. 22, 2025)
