MADISON, Wis. — After contributing to the winningest four-year run in school history on the field, four Wisconsin football seniors are being honored for their academic accomplishments, as well.

Vince Biegel, Bart Houston, Leo Musso and Eric Steffes have been selected for membership in the 2017 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, which was announced Wednesday by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Now in its 11th season, the 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.

Four honorees matches the Badgers' largest class of Hampshire Honor Society members, a number UW also hit last season with recognition for Alex Erickson, Tyler Marz, Joel Stave and Derek Watt. In 2012, Bradie Ewing, Peter Konz, Brad Nortman and Russell Wilson represented UW.

A total of 18 Badgers have been named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society over its first 11 years.

A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Biegel started 12 games at outside linebacker and was a key piece of a Badgers unit that ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring defense and No. 7 in total defense. The team captain, who matched UW's school record by playing in 54 career games, finished his senior season with 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Biegel graduated in December with a degree in life sciences communication.

Houston saw action at quarterback in 11 games and made five starts as a senior. That included UW's season-opening win over No. 5 LSU in the Lambeau Field College Classic and its triumph over No. 12 Western Michigan in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to cap an 11-3 season. Houston tied the Cotton Bowl record for completion percentage by connecting on 11 of 12 passes (91.7%) for 159 yards. On the year, he completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 1,245 yards and five touchdowns. The four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection graduated in December 2015 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and is pursuing his master's in the same discipline.

Named the Badgers' most valuable player in a vote of his teammates, Musso anchored a secondary that was as productive as nearly any in the nation on his way to third-team All-Big Ten laurels. His team-high five interceptions led the way for a unit that paced the Power Five programs with 22 picks on the season while ranking No. 10 among all FBS clubs in passing efficiency defense. Musso recorded 74 total tackles while starting all 14 games as the Badgers' free safety. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten pick, Musso graduated in December with a degree in community and nonprofit leadership.

As a senior, Steffes was named the recipient of the Ivan B. Williamson Scholastic Award, the Badgers' highest honor in scholarship and sportsmanship and earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition for the fourth time. He played in all 14 games and made four starts, catching seven passes for 34 yards and a touchdown while serving as the Badgers' primary blocking tight end for the second-consecutive season. Steffes, who also has been honored as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, graduated with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology in May 2015 and is pursuing his master's degree in that field.

WISCONSIN'S NFF HAMPSHIRE HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS
2017
Vince Biegel, OLB
Bart Houston, QB
Leo Musso, S
Eric Steffes, TE

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