IRVING, Texas (NFF/SMU) – Eight players on the SMU football team have been named to the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, the organization announced in a release on Wednesday.
Recognized for their academic excellence, Zakye Barker, Stone Eby, TJ Harden, Matthew Hibner, Jeffrey M'ba, Addison Nichols, Logan Parr and Keveion'ta Spears all earned spots on the prestigious list.

NFF Hampshire Honor Society members must be nominated by their respective schools; be a senior in his final year of eligibility or a graduated player who has already earned a bachelor's degree; earn a minimum 3.2 GPA; and have been a starter or contributor to the football team.

This is the second consecutive year for Matthew Hibner and Logan Parr, both garnering the honor in 2025.

The eight selections were the most in SMU history. The Mustangs are one of seven FBS schools and 23 institutions nationwide that have had at least one student-athlete selected every year since its inception in 2007.

The group led the Mustangs to a 9-4 record and a victory at the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl, SMU's first bowl win since 2012.

Both M'ba and Spears made an immediate impact in their solo year at SMU. M'ba recorded 7.5 TFLs and 5 sacks on the season, both good for third on the team. His performance earned him All-ACC Honorable Mention honors. Playing in all 13 games, Spears recorded four PBUs and 15 total tackles.

Barker was a consistent piece of the Mustang defense this season, posting eight games with multiple tackles. Eby saw action in all 13 games this campaign, scoring a rushing touchdown in the victory over No. 17 Arizona at the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl on Jan. 2.

Harden led SMU's run game, notching two 100-yard rushing games and scoring multiple touchdowns on three occasions. The California native recorded a team-leading 787 rushing yards and a career-best nine rushing touchdowns, tied for eighth in the ACC.

Hibner was dynamic for the Mustangs in 2025, posting a career-high 31 receptions for 436 yards and four touchdowns. The tight end was selected as a Mackey Award Semifinalist and named All-ACC Honorable Mention for his play. 

Nichols and Parr paved the path for the Mustangs to average 283.1 passing yards per game, placing 12th nationally and second in the conference. The duo served on an offensive line that allowed only 19 total sacks, good for 29th nationally and fifth in the league.

SMU All-Time Selections
2007: Duke Hasson
2008: Benjamin Poynter
2009: Thomas Morstead, Tommy Poynter
2010: Mitch Enright, Chase Kennemer
2011: Pete Fleps
2012: Kelvin Beachum
2013: Cameron Rogers, Mark Voosen
2014: Randall Joyner, Ryan Walker
2015: Hayden Greenbauer, Stephen Nelson, Stephon Sanders
2016: Andy McCleneghen
2017: Deon Green, Sean Tuohy Jr.
2018: Evan Brown, Will Hopkins
2019: J.R. Griffin, Larry Hughes, Cole Sterns, Garrett Stotts
2020: Patrick Nelson, CJ Sanders
2021: Shane Buechele, Richard McBryde, Tyler Page, Brandon Stephens
2022: Grant Calcaterra, Trevor Denbow, Hayden Howerton, Tommy McIntyre, Beau Morris, Delano Robinson, Mike Williams
2023: Beau Barker, Joe Bissinger, Owen Condon, Ben Redding
2024: Ben Sparks
2025: Jake Bailey, Anthony Booker Jr. Matthew Hibner, Jonathan McGill, Logan Parr, Ben Sparks
2026: Zakye Barker, Stone Eby, TJ Harden, Matthew Hibner, Jeffrey M'ba, Addison Nichols, Logan Parr, Keveion'ta Spears