The University of Alabama celebrated a major academic milestone this past weekend, as 40 Crimson Tide student-athletes officially received their diplomas during the winter commencement at Coleman Coliseum. Highlighting the ceremony was a massive contingent from the football program, with 28 players trading their jerseys for caps and gowns.
The group of graduates represents a blend of veteran leadership and rising stars. Among the headlines are Kadyn Proctor, the 2025 Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient, and standout safety Bray Hubbard. Their academic achievements come at a pivotal moment, as the No. 9 ranked Crimson Tide prepares for a high-stakes College Football Playoff opener against Oklahoma this Friday.
Master’s Degrees: The “Super Seniors” Lead by Example
While earning a bachelor’s degree while playing Division I football is a feat in itself, six members of the team went a step further by securing their Master’s degrees. This group of high achievers is led by quarterback Ty Simpson and a trio of defensive anchors: Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green.
Rounding out the list of Master’s recipients are wide receiver MJ Chirgwin and tight end Peter Knudson. For Lawson and Jefferson—both of whom recently accepted invitations to the 2026 Senior Bowl—completing their graduate studies further bolsters their resumes as they prepare for the leap to the professional ranks.
A Diverse Class of Graduates
The winter class of 2025 showcases the “portal era” success of the Alabama program, with nine of the 28 football graduates having started their collegiate careers at other institutions before finishing their degrees in Tuscaloosa. Notable undergraduate degree recipients include:
* Germie Bernard (Wide Receiver)
* Domani Jackson (Defensive Back)
* LT Overton (Defensive Lineman)
* Keon Sabb (Defensive Back)
* Jalen Hale (Wide Receiver)
Excellence Beyond the Gridiron
The football team was joined by standouts from across the Alabama Athletics department. All-American gymnast Gabby Gladieux, soccer star Gianna Paul, and baseball pitcher Riley Quick were also among the 40 athletes recognized.
Alabama Athletics recently matched its all-time high in overall Graduation Success Rate (GSR) at 96 percent, a figure that ranks seventh nationally among power conference schools. For head coach Kalen DeBoer, seeing nearly thirty of his players graduate mid-season is a testament to the program’s “standard of excellence” that extends far beyond the yard markers on Saban Field.