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.
ConGRADs! 🎓✔️💍#RollTide pic.twitter.com/DUKtEw0hrq
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) May 3, 2024
The former five-star did not get selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he signed to the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. Ricks was productive in his rookie year, posting 19 tackles and three pass breakups for the Eagles.
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Alabama fans are proud of the graduates and look forward to seeing what the Tide does in the coming fall.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
