University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Elliott and Montiel Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society
Apr 05, 2017 | Football
Former Tigers add another academic honor.
MEMPHIS – Former Memphis football players Jake Elliott and Daniel Montiel were named to the National Football Foundation's (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, Wednesday. The Tiger tandem, which also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors earlier this year, were two of 1,089 collegiate football players from around the country to earn the honor society membership. In order to earn the membership, a student-athlete must have been a starter or significant contributor in their final year of eligibility, achieved a 3.2 or higher GPA in their entire course of undergraduate study and met all NCAA-mandated progress towards degree requirements. Elliott and Montiel become the 15th and 16th Tigers in the 11 years of the NFF program to earn the academic honor.
Elliott will graduate from Memphis in April with a degree in marketing management and a 3.8 GPA. He will leave as Memphis' all-time leading scorer and holds the school record for field goals made (80) and consecutive PATs made (202-for-202). He was a key piece of a special teams unit that ranked second in the country in kick-off return defense, allowing just 15.46 yards per return. On 88 kickoffs, Elliott kicked 60 for touchbacks, second in the country last season.
In addition to his NFF honor, Elliott was named a CoSIDA first team Academic All-American and was a second team Senior CLASS All-America honoree. A two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honoree, Elliott is the first player in conference history to earn first team all-conference honors four times. A Lou Groza finalist in 2015 and an additional two-time semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, Elliott also participated in the Senior Bowl and was named the 2016 recipient of the American Athletic Conference's Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award. Elliott also competed in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and participated in the Memphis Pro Day tryout two weeks ago.
Montiel, like Elliott, was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team, earning second team honors. A starter at tight end, Montiel was a member of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list as a senior. The Arlington, Texas, native had already graduated from Memphis prior to playing in the 2016 season, receiving a degree in accounting while beginning work on his MBA.
Montiel appeared in 45 career games at Memphis, including every game his junior and senior seasons. He had 45 career catches, including a career-best 27 in 2016, for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. His three touchdowns in 2016 matched his career best mark from his junior season. A 2016 American Athletic Conference first team honoree, Montiel had a career game against USF in November, grabbing 10 receptions for 100 yards.
Elliott will graduate from Memphis in April with a degree in marketing management and a 3.8 GPA. He will leave as Memphis' all-time leading scorer and holds the school record for field goals made (80) and consecutive PATs made (202-for-202). He was a key piece of a special teams unit that ranked second in the country in kick-off return defense, allowing just 15.46 yards per return. On 88 kickoffs, Elliott kicked 60 for touchbacks, second in the country last season.
In addition to his NFF honor, Elliott was named a CoSIDA first team Academic All-American and was a second team Senior CLASS All-America honoree. A two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honoree, Elliott is the first player in conference history to earn first team all-conference honors four times. A Lou Groza finalist in 2015 and an additional two-time semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, Elliott also participated in the Senior Bowl and was named the 2016 recipient of the American Athletic Conference's Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award. Elliott also competed in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and participated in the Memphis Pro Day tryout two weeks ago.
Montiel, like Elliott, was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team, earning second team honors. A starter at tight end, Montiel was a member of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list as a senior. The Arlington, Texas, native had already graduated from Memphis prior to playing in the 2016 season, receiving a degree in accounting while beginning work on his MBA.
Montiel appeared in 45 career games at Memphis, including every game his junior and senior seasons. He had 45 career catches, including a career-best 27 in 2016, for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. His three touchdowns in 2016 matched his career best mark from his junior season. A 2016 American Athletic Conference first team honoree, Montiel had a career game against USF in November, grabbing 10 receptions for 100 yards.
| All-Time Memphis NFF Hampshire Honor Society Honorees | |
| 2007 | Rusty Clayton |
| 2008 | Jake Kasser |
| Andy Smith | |
| 2009 | Brandon Patterson |
| Brandon Pearce | |
| Brent Sutherland | |
| 2010 | Matt Reagan |
| Brent Toney | |
| 2013 | Mitch Huelsing |
| 2014 | Tom Hornsey |
| Jacob Karam | |
| Jesse Milleson | |
| 2015 | Charles Harris |
| 2016 | Micah Simmons |
| 2017 | Jake Elliott |
| Daniel Montiel | |
Players Mentioned
PK
/ Football
TE
/ FootballFootball: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-September 24, 2025
Wednesday, September 24
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-September 24 2025
Wednesday, September 24
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-September 23, 2025
Tuesday, September 23
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-September 22, 2025
Monday, September 22