IRVING, Texas – Carson-Newman football has placed five players in the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society – the most among all Division II schools in Super Region II – the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Offensive Lineman Dan Gallman (Naples, Fla.), linebacker Lane Bloom (Knoxville, Tenn.), tight end Kooper Davis (Selmer, Tenn.), defensive lineman Phalen Booker (Waveland, Miss.) and offensive lineman Austin Lewis (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) all received the accolade.
They are the first C-N players recognized with membership into the honor society since William Alderman in 2014.
The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. A total of 1,089 players from 297 schools qualified for membership in the society's 11th year, both new single-year records in the history of the program.
In addition to having the most honorees among all Division II schools in the Southeast Region, Carson-Newman has the most players recognized among all football-playing schools in the state of Tennessee.
Davis was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American. Davis, a biology/pre-med major with a 3.91 GAP, hasn't registered a catch when he's been at tight end for the Eagles, but he has provided for C-N in a role akin to a second tackle. In fact, Davis does have a start this season at the position.
The senior is the recipient of the John Abe Teague Award for the member of the Carson-Newman football team who best represents the values instilled by C-N. He has helped block for an offense that ranks top 20 in the country and a rushing attack that's top 10 nationally.
Lewis set a record on the Carson-Newman offensive line by grading out at an 83 in the Eagles' week two win over Saint Augustine's. He also moved into fourth place on the all-time knockdowns list and finished the year as the offensive line's leader in overall grade.
Bloom went down as Carson-Newman's leading tackler in 2016 and an all-conference selection at linebacker. The linebacker with 4.4 speed had 89 tackles, including a team-high 42 solo stops. His 11.5 tackles for loss registered as the top mark on the team and the 10th best total in the SAC. He recovered a pair of fumbles and had a pair of interceptions.
Gallman was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. The finance major and All State AFCA Good Works Team member carries a 3.60 GPA.
In addition to his on-field achievements and work in the classroom, Gallman has helped with the Jefferson City Food Bank and reads to kids at Jefferson City Elementary frequently. He has volunteered each year with Luke 14, a special needs day where he goes to Manley Baptist Church to assist with activities.
The senior has volunteered at Carson-Newman's yearly day of service, Operation INASMUCH, and the football team's annual day of service. In 2015, he spent a day as a coach for a football camp organized by Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation. He also assisted with moving the Voice of the Eagles Adam Cavalier and his wife into their new home.
Gallman is second on the team in knockdowns in 2016, he also ranks second in overall grade behind Austin Lewis (Ponte Vedra, Fla.).
Finally, Booker, a physics major with a 3.53 GPA, also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in his senior year. A preseason first team All-SAC selection, Booker registered sacks against Humboldt State and Wingate, he ranks 11th all-time in the stat category for Carson-Newman in a career.