MADISON, Wis. — Before they get one step closer to dreams of playing professional football this weekend, four Badgers have been honored for what they accomplished during distinguished careers in the college game.

Seniors Alex Erickson, Tyler Marz, Joel Stave and Derek Watt represent Wisconsin in the membership of the 2016 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which was announced Wednesday by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

In its 10th year, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or better throughout their college careers while making significant on-field contributions in their final season of play.

Among Power Five conference programs, only Duke (6), Indiana (5) and Michigan (5) produced more NFF Hampshire Honor Society members than Wisconsin. Four honorees matches the most the Badgers have produced in the 10-year history of the award; Bradie Ewing, Peter Konz, Brad Nortman and Russell Wilson represented UW in the NFF Hampshire Honor Society for 2012.

A total of 14 Badgers have been named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society over its first 10 years.

Named first-team All-Big Ten, Erickson started 12 games last season and was the Badgers' leading receiver for the second-straight year with 77 catches — second-most in school history — for 978 yards. Erickson, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, graduated in December with a degree in agricultural business management.

A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Marz received his bachelor's degree in life sciences communication in May 2015 and is expected to earn a master's degree in educational leadership and policy analysis next month. Marz was named second-team All-Big Ten last season and started the final 40 consecutive games of his career at left tackle. He helped anchor offensive lines that led way for two of the three best single-season rushing performances in school history at 283.8 yards per game in 2013 and a school-record 320.1 yards per game in 2014.

Stave was the Offensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl and finished his career as UW's all-time winningest quarterback at 31-10 overall and 22-6 in Big Ten games. As a senior, he tied the Badgers' school record with 225 completions and threw for 2,687 yards, the fourth-highest total in school history. All-time, he ranks No. 2 at UW with 7,635 passing yards and 48 touchdown passes. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Stave graduated in December with a degree in civil engineering.

A four-year starter for the Badgers at fullback — playing in 47 games with 24 starts — Watt saved his best performance for last by carrying the ball five times for 32 yards and catching a pair of passes in UW's win over USC in the Holiday Bowl. Watt, who graduated in December with a degree in marketing, earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times in his career.

WISCONSIN'S NFF HAMPSHIRE HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS
2016
Alex Erickson, WR
Tyler Marz, OL
Joel Stave, QB
Derek Watt, FB

2013
Shelton Johnson, S

2012
Bradie Ewing, FB
Peter Konz, OL
Brad Nortman, P
Russell Wilson, QB

2011
Scott Tolzien, QB

2010
Mickey Turner, TE

2009
Chris Pressley, FB

2008
Luke Swan, WR

2007
Joe Thomas, OL