Nine football athletes for Alabama — including a current NFL player — finish the spring with degrees

Nine athletes came to the University of Alabama under Nick Saban, but Kalen DeBoer watched them march with bachelor’s degrees on Friday at Coleman Coliseum to finish the spring semester. 

Deontae Lawson (linebacker), Keanu Koht (linebacker), Robert Ellis (tight end), Caleb McDougle (defensive back), Charlie Skehan (tight end), Jordan Smith (linebacker), and Sam Willoughby (wide receiver) graduated with degrees. Lawson, a fourth-year player, is the lone one of the group with marquee game experience. Koht, an explosive edge rusher, has an opportunity to be really good for the Tide in the fall. Everyone else was a quality walk-on or practice squad player that helped Alabama capture a Southeastern Conference Championship last season. Eli Ricks, a former Tide cornerback, also marched with his degree.