IRVING, Texas (June 22, 2023) – From a pool of 3,500 scholar-athletes identified by a nationwide Chapter Network, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today the 79 members of the 2023 NFF Team of Distinction. As part of its mission to promote the scholar-athlete ideal, the initiative allows the NFF to honor the top high school scholar- athletes from around the country as the best and the brightest at the local level while highlighting the work of the NFF Chapter Network.
The members of the team all played their final high school football season during the 2022-23 school year. As part of the award, all of the honorees will be part of a permanent digital display at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Criteria to make the team include (but are not limited to) academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement. Each chapter is limited to one honoree, distinguishing them as the top scholar-athlete from all the high schools covered by the chapter.
"This initiative allows us to shine a national spotlight on some of the most deserving high school student-athletes honored at the local level by our expansive Chapter Network," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "This honor is one of the most prestigious national awards that a high school player can receive. We would like to congratulate all 79 honorees for their success on and off the field, especially with the challenges caused by the pandemic during their senior year. We also want to salute all of our NFF Chapters who continue to play an important role in promoting football in their communities."
Since 1954, the NFF Chapters have played an integral role in supporting and promoting the game of football at the amateur level while honoring the top scholar-athletes in their local areas. With more than 12,000 members, the nationwide NFF Chapter Network impacts more than 500,000 student-athletes at 5,000 high schools across the country each year.
The centerpiece of the Chapter Network's efforts are the annual chapter awards banquets, which recognize more than 3,500 of the nation's top scholar-athletes and distribute more than
$1 million in scholarships.
2023 NFF Team of Distinction Notes
- 79 Honorees
- 35 States Represented
- 4.0 Average GPA
- 67 Team Captains
- 43 All-State Selections
- 5 Valedictorians
- 48 National Honor Society Members
- 9 National Merit Finalists and Honorees
East Region Honorees
Kwasi Bonsu – RB/DL, Baldwin High School in Baldwin, York. Submitted by the NFF Nassau County Chapter.
- 97.00 average grade
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- AP Scholar with Honors and Class President
Vincent Cajano III – QB/K/P, Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. Submitted by the NFF New York Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Three-year team captain and two-time all-state selection
- Principal's List and Honor Roll all four years
Nolan Clayton–TE/DE, Upper Merrion High School in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Submitted by the NFF Philadelphia Chapter.
- 3.76 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Distinguished Honor Roll all four years
David Dias–RB/DL, Harrison High School in Harrison, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF Essex County Chapter.
- 4.43 GPA
- Team captain and all-conference selection
- Member of the National Honor Society
Jack Donahoe–S, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. Submitted by the NFF Westchester Chapter (NY).
- 4.60 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- High Honor Roll every semester and ranked third in his graduating class
Benjamin Manley–QB/LB, Mahanoy Area High School in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Submitted by the NFF Schuylkill-Pottsville Chapter (PA).
- 4.02 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of National Honor Society and Class President
Andrew Miller – WR/CB, Northport High School in Northport, New York. Submitted by the NFF Suffolk County Chapter (NY).
- 98.73 average grade
- Team captain and MVP
- Member of the National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout
Stefano Montella–FB/LB, West Morris Central High School in Chester, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF Greater Morris County Chapter (NJ).
- 4.91 GPA
- Team captain and two-time all-state selection
- High Honor Roll every semester
Griffin Patridge–WR/LB, Allentown Central Catholic High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Submitted by the NFF Lehigh Valley Chapter (PA).
- 3.74 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Student Body President
Michael Poinsett–FB/LB, Bordentown High School Bordentown, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF Delaware Valley Chapter.
- 108.00 average grade
- Team captain and two-time all-conference selection
- AP Scholar and Principal's Award of Excellence
Alex Scheuplein–QB/DB, Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF Passaic County Chapter (NJ).
- 4.28 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP scholar award
Michael Sears–OL/LB, Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF South Jersey Chapter.
- 102.58 average grade
- Team captain and Defensive Player of the Year
- Member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll
John Shuster – TB/LB, Windber High School in Windber, Pennsylvania. Submitted by the NFF Central Pennsylvania Chapter.
- 4.50 GPA
- Team captain and Somerset County Offensive MVP
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP Physics Award
Matthew Yascko – QB, Edison High School in Edison, New Jersey. Submitted by the NFF Bill Denny-Rutgers FB Letterwinners Chapter.
- 3.80 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Unified Club
Alan Zhao–K, Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, Maryland. Submitted by the NFF Greater Baltimore Chapter.
- 4.91 GPA
- First Team all-county and Baltimore Area Special Teams POY
- Member of the National Honor Society and ranked 12th in his graduating class
Midwest Region Honorees
Sarah Ball – WR/DB, Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois. Submitted by the NFF Chicago Metro Chapter.
- 4.50 GPA
- Flag football team captain and team MVP
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP Scholar with honor
Isaac Carter – OG/NG, Grove City High School in Grove City, Ohio. Submitted by the NFF Columbus Chapter.
- 4.59 GPA
- Two-year team captain and two-time First Team all-league
- US Marine Corp Character and Leadership All-American award and Eagle Scout
Zane Flores – QB, Gretna High School in Gretna, Nebraska. Submitted by the NFF Nebraska Chapter.
- 3.97 GPA
- Team captain and Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year
- Member of the National Honor Society and all-state academic team
Nicholas Hoying – LB, Kings High School in King Mills, Ohio. Submitted by the NFF Greater Cincinnati Chapter.
- 4.54 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Summa Cum Laude
Colton Lippe – RB/LB, Mt. Vernon High School in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Submitted by the NFF Southern Indiana Chapter.
- 3.99 GPA
- Team captain and all-conference selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and ranked ninth in his graduating class
Alexander Ravlin – QB/S, Underwood High School in Underwood, Iowa. Submitted by the NFF Iowa Chapter.
- 3.99 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Blue Honor Roll every semester and all-district academic team
Easton Reed – OL/DL, Bremen High School in Bremen, Indiana. Submitted by the NFF Moose Krause Chapter (IN).
- 3.96 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll every semester
Ryan Retzer – C, Belle Plaine High School in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Submitted by the NFF Minnesota Chapter.
- 3.99 GPA
- Two-year team captain and two-time all-district selection
- Member of the Minnesota Honor Society and Honor Roll every quarter
Keenan Schartz – QB, Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas. Submitted by the NFF Coach Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Team Captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Valedictorian
Nolan Schopp – RB/LB, Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin. Submitted by the NFF Wisconsin Chapter.
- 4.35 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll
Justin Selbert – OL, Eureka Senior High School in Eureka, Missouri. Submitted by the NFF Tom Lombardo/St. Louis Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- National Merit Finalist and Glory of Missouri Award
Allen Thomason – OT, Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Submitted by the NFF Arkansas Chapter.
- 4.51 GPA
- Two-year team captain and three-time all-state selection
- National Merit Finalist and All-Time President's List
Kyle Turanchick – RB/LB, Oak Hill High School in Converse, Indiana. Submitted by the NFF Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter.
- 4.11 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and ranks in top 5% of his class
Connor Walendzak – RB/LB, Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio. Submitted by the NFF Wistert-Toledo Chapter (OH).
- 4.30 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Student Council
Trevor Weakley – RB/LB, Western Boone High School in Thorntown, Indiana. Submitted by the NFF Central Indiana Chapter.
- 4.13 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Valedictorian
Northeast Region Honorees
Dalton Bates – OL/DL, Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham, Connecticut. Submitted by the NFF Casey-O'Brien/New Haven Chapter (CT).
- 4.05 GPA
- Team captain and all-league selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Eagle Scout
Andrew Ciarniello – RB/S, North Kingstown High School in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Submitted by the NFF Emo DiNitto/Rhode Island Chapter.
- 4.14 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Principal's Honor Roll
Kyle Colebourn – OL/DL, Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Massachusetts. Submitted by the NFF Joe Mewhiney/Central Massachusetts Chapter.
- 4.33 GPA
- Team captain and state all-star selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP Scholar with Honor
Sean Curley – WR, St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut. Submitted by the NFF DeSantis-McDougall/Fairfield County Chapter (CT).
- 96.00 average grade
- Maria Taylor Character Award recipient
- Member of the National Honor Society and Presidential Honor Roll
Connor Gresens – LB, Irondequoit High School in Rochester, New York. Submitted by the NFF Rochester Chapter (NY).
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP Scholar with Distinction
Tristan Korfonta – RB/LB, Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York. Submitted by the NFF Central New York Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-league selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and STEM club
Austin McCarthy – C/LS, Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Submitted by the NFF Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter.
- 3.99 GPA
- Two-year starter and two-time state champion
- Member of the National Honor Society and Class President
Joe Palisi – S, Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut. Submitted by the NFF Doc Boisoneau/Northern Connecticut Chapter.
- 4.26 GPA
- Team captain and all-area team selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Eagle Scout
Alexander Provost – WR/DB, Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, Vermont. Submitted by the NFF Vermont Chapter.
- 4.04 GPA
- Two-time all-state selection and Gatorade Player of the Year finalist
- Member of the Honor Roll
Conner Robidoux – WR/DB, East Longmeadow High School in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Submitted by the NFF Western Massachusetts Chapter.
- 4.36 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-suburban south selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and High Honors
Zachary Robinson-Smey – QB/S, Windham High School in Willimantic, Connecticut. Submitted by the NFF Southeastern Connecticut Chapter.
- 3.90 GPA
- Two-year team captain and two-time all-conference selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Superintendent's Award
Elias Soehren – QB/S, Oxford Hills High School in South Paris, Maine. Submitted by the NFF Howie Vandersea State of Maine Chapter.
- 98.50 average grade
- Team captain and Maine Gatorade Player of the Year
- High Honor Roll and ranks in top 5% of his class
Dylan Wrisley – WR/S, Londonderry High School in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Submitted by the NFF Joe Yukica/New Hampshire Chapter
- 4.33 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- National Merit Semi-Finalist and Valedictorian
South Region Honorees
Hunter Addison – S, North Desoto High School in Stonewall, Louisiana. Submitted by the NFF S.M. McNaughton Chapter (LA).
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Superintendent's List
Nolan Albright – TE, Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC. Submitted by the NFF Corrigan/Faircloth Chapter (NC).
- 4.34 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and All-State academic team
Caedmon Barron – WR/DB, Lubbock High School in Lubbock, Texas. Submitted by the NFF Texas Tech Chapter.
- 4.90 GPA
- Team captain and defensive MVP
- Member of the National Honor Society and National Merit Commended Scholar
Jake Carson – QB, Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. Submitted by the NFF Mountain Empire Chapter (TN).
- 4.25 GPA
- Two-year starter and region Offensive Player of the Year
- Member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club member
John Dorris – WR, Athens Academy in Athens, Georgia. Submitted by the NFF University of Georgia Chapter.
- 4.28 GPA
- Four-year lettermen and 2022 region co-champion
- Member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society
Noah Flaskamp – WR, Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee. Submitted by the NFF Memphis Chapter (TN).
- 4.36 GPA
- Team captain and all-region selection
- Straight A student and Beta Club member
Chase Goodwin – QB, Houston Memorial High School in Houston, Texas. Submitted by the NFF Touchdown Club of Houston Chapter (TX).
- 6.57 GPA
- Team captain and two-time all-district selection
- National Merit Finalist and Valedictorian
Dya'Ron Grundy – OL/DL, Springfield High School in Springfield, Tennessee. Submitted by the NFF Middle Tennessee Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain and all-region selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club member
Cameron Hammond – DE/LB, Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas. Submitted by the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Chapter (TX).
- 5.22 GPA
- Team captain and all-district selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Academic All-State Selection
Andrew Hollinger – LB, DH Conley High School in Greenville, North Carolina. Submitted by the NFFCHOF Bill Dooley Chapter (NC).
- 4.53 GPA
- Two-year team captain and Big Carolina all-conference selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and English, Math, Social Studies Honor Societies
Shaunak Joshi – QB, Hillsborough High School in Tampa, Florida. Submitted by the NFF Tampa Chapter (FL).
- 3.95 GPA
- Two-year team captain and most improved player award
- National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction
Tyler Kuo – TE/WR, Regents School of Austin in Austin, Texas. Submitted by the NFF Greater Austin Chapter (TX).
- 4.30 GPA
- All-district selection and team toughness award winner
- National merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction
Max Lawrence – QB, Westland Hialeah Senior High School in Hialeah, Florida. Submitted by the NFF Miami Touchdown Club Chapter.
- 4.81 GPA
- Team captain and 7x MaxPreps player of the week
- Presidential Honor Roll and ranks in top 20% of his class
Jackson Lewis – OG/DE, Cathedral High School in Natchez, Mississippi. Submitted by the NFF Miss/Lou Chapter.
- 4.25 GPA
- Team captain and Most Improved Player award
- Member of the National Honor Society and A+ average all four years
Dylan Nation – TE/LS, Callaway High School in Hogansville, Georgia. Submitted by the NFF Touchdown Club of Atlanta Chapter.
- 3.98 GPA
- First Team all-region selection and top 100 LS in the country
- Distinguished Honor Graduate and ranked third in his graduating class
Gavin Noe – RB/LB, Anderson County High School in Clinton, Tennessee. Submitted by the NFF East Tennessee Chapter.
- 4.05 GPA
- Team captain and three-time all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll all four years
Brayden Slade – S, Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida. Submitted by the NFF Brian Piccolo/Ft. Lauderdale Chapter (FL).
- 3.90 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and ranked in top 3% of his class
Brandon Torres – LB, Barron Collier High School in Naples, Florida. Submitted by the NFF Collier County Chapter (FL).
- 3.66 GPA
- Team captain and First Team all-area defensive selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and AP Scholar
Caleb Villarreal – WR/DB, Hamshire-Fannett High School in Hamshire, Texas. Submitted by the NFF Golden Triangle Chapter (TX).
- 110.00 average grade
- Team captain and all-district selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and ranked in top 10% of his class
Mason Williams – WR/DB, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie, Louisiana. Submitted by the NFF Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter.
- 4.89 GPA
- Team captain and LHSAA all-academic team selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and National Merit Semi-Finalist
West Region Honorees
Zachariah Branch – WR, Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Submitted by the NFF Bill Ireland/Las Vegas Chapter.
- 3.4 GPA
- Team captain and All-American selection
- Four-year Honor Roll member
Jack Brundage – LB, Tesoro High School in Las Flores, California. Submitted by the NFF Orange County Chapter (CA).
- 4.56 GPA
- First Team all-league selection
- Superintendent and Principal's Honor Roll all four years
Ryder Chapin – TE/LB, Great Oak High School in Temecula, California. Submitted by the NFF Riverside County Chapter (CA).
- 4.59 GPA
- Team captain and Defensive Player of the Year
- Member of the Honor Roll and achieved highest GPA on team
Hunter Clegg – TE/DE, American Fork High School in American Fork, Utah. Submitted by the NFF Utah Chapter.
- 3.98 GPA
- Two-year team captain and First Team all-state defensive selection
- Member of the Honor Roll every semester and AP Scholar
Phil Cotton – TE/LB, Walnut High School in Walnut, California. Submitted by the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter (CA).
- 4.22 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Academic All-League selection and FFA Chapter High GPA Award
Josh Dixon – WR/DB, Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, California. Submitted by the NFF San Fernando Valley Chapter (CA).
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain and Del Rey League Defensive Player of the year
- Four-year Honor Roll member
Benjamin Lee – OL/DL, Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California. Submitted by the NFF Northern California Chapter.
- 4.17 GPA
- Team captain and all-league selection
- AP Scholar and Honor Roll all four years
Myles Libman – WR/PR, Pinnacle High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Submitted by the NFF Valley of the Sun Chapter (AZ).
- 3.97 GPA
- Team captain and all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Principal's Leadership Council
Jay Mentink – WR/DB, Sumner High School in Sumner, Washington. Submitted by the NFF Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter (WA).
- 3.95 GPA
- Team captain and First Team all-area selection
- Honor Roll and Full International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate
Scott Nixon – WR/RB/LB, Sheldon High School in Sacramento, California. Submitted by the NFF Sacramento Valley Chapter (CA).
- 4.15 GPA
- Two-year team captain and all-state selection
- Honor Roll and Sac-Hi Sports Scholar-Athlete Award winner
Cristian Pando – RB/LB, Willcox High School in Willcox, Arizona. Submitted by the NFF Southern Arizona Chapter.
- 4.38 GPA
- Two-year team captain and First Team all-region selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Willcox High School Student of the Year
Easton Peterson – DB, Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California. Submitted by the NFF Walter Zable/San Diego Chapter (CA).
- 4.10 GPA
- First Team All-CIF Defense selection and all-league selection
- Honor Roll all four years
Jackson St. Aubyn – OL/DL, Palmer Ridge High School in Monument, Colorado. Submitted by the NFF Colorado Chapter.
- 4.13 GPA
- Team captain and First Team all-state selection
- Two-time First Team Academic All-State and Four Academic Letters
Luke Talich – QB/S, Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming. Submitted by the NFF Wyoming Chapter.
- 3.96 GPA
- Team captain and three-time all-state selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Leadership Council
David Uzoma – DE, Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California. Submitted by the NFF Los Angeles Chapter (CA).
- 4.20 GPA
- First Team all-league and Defensive Player of the League
- Honor Roll for three years
Ben Winjum – RB/LB, West Linn High School in West Linn, Oregon. Submitted by the NFF Oregon Chapter.
- 4.00 GPA
- Team captain and First Team all-state defensive selection
- Member of the National Honor Society and Valedictorian
