LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – A program-record five former UNLV players – linebacker Austin Ajiake, long snapper Rex Goossen, wide receiver Nick Williams and defensive linemen Eliel Ehimare and Tavis Malakius -- were announced as members of the 2023 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society this week.

An elite group of 1,734 players from 328 schools qualified for membership in 2023, setting a record for the number of members in a single year during the program's 17-year history. The initiative has now honored 16,370 student-athletes since its inception.

Qualifications for membership in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society include being a starter or significant contributor in the last year of eligibility at an NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I, Division II, Division III or an NAIA college or university, and meeting all mandated progress towards degree requirements.

Ajiake (Fremont, CA) last season became the first UNLV linebacker named First Team All-Mountain West since 2016 after leading the league and finishing fifth in the nation with 132 total tackles. After being selected to play in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, he became the first Rebel to appear in more than one postseason all-star game since 2004. He earned his bachelor's degree in urban studies with a grade point average of 3.63 before beginning his pursuit of a master's in urban development. The seven-time member of the UNLV Dean's Honor List and five-time Academic All-MW honoree was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-Region team member.

Ehimare (Katy, TX) overcame injuries to play in 11 games during his Super Senior campaign, earning Honorable Mention All-MW. The three-year starter earned his undergraduate degree in accounting with a 3.89 GPA before pursuing a post-graduate degree in cybersecurity. The former JC transfer is a four-time Academic All-MW honoree who is the only defensive player in program history to be voted an Academic All-American (2021).

Goossen (Scottsdale, AZ), a four-time Academic All-MW honoree, earned his bachelor's degree in management with a GPA of 3.24 before pursuing a certificate in college sports leadership as a Super Senior. His final season was cut short by injury last fall after he was named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Pro Football Network.

Malakius (Macon, GA), who finished 13th on the team last season with 25 tackles, was another graduate student who earned his bachelor's degree in film studies with a GPA of 3.27 before pursuing his master's in sports marketing.

Williams (Aurora, CO), who earned his undergraduate degree in finance with a 3.76 GPA at CSU Pueblo, spent just the 2022 season in Las Vegas but finished third on the team with 28 receptions for 435 yards and two touchdowns.