The University of Alabama is known for being a college football powerhouse, so it’s not surprising that with 10 picks in the 2021 draft, Alabama now has had 51 picks over the last 5 drafts — tying USC (1973-77) for the most NFL draft picks over any five-year span since 1967.
While current Alabama stars were getting drafted into the NFL this past weekend, former Alabama stars were getting their degrees. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, free agent running back Bo Scarbrough and Philadelphia Eagles second-round pick Landon Dickerson were among those who got to walk the commencement stage.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa got his degree in communications studies last summer in the middle of pandemic. This weekend, he finally got to walk the stage for Alabama’s commencement. (@UofAlabama @MiamiDolphins) pic.twitter.com/s0IPhyb8MZ
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 3, 2021
Former Lions & Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough walked as a college graduate over the weekend.
One of my last pre-pandemic trips was to Tuscaloosa to go to class with @starbo06. https://t.co/gWu2eVpvYw pic.twitter.com/vTAzYss1He
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 3, 2021
Championships & Degrees! 💍🎓#RollTide pic.twitter.com/we1nhq6Xr6
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) May 3, 2021
Robert Horry, who played basketball at Alabama before becoming an NBA star and seven-time NBA champion, also got his degree.
7-time NBA champion Robert Horry graduates from Alabama https://t.co/j9YxgMQX9X pic.twitter.com/POMsQDNahz
— SEC Football News (@SECfootball) May 2, 2021
This is a dramatic change from graduation season 2020, when in-person graduations were mostly cancelled due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’re excited to see which other former college athletes make that commencement walk this spring as college graduations continue to roll on.
Information from ESPN’s Stats and Information Group was used in this story.