The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football boasts 12 graduates prior to Allstate Sugar Bowl
12.26.2018 | Football
Twelve Longhorns will play with a degree in hand on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
PHOTO GALLERY: MAY GRADUATION | DECEMBER GRADUATION
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas Football program boasts 12 student-athletes who already hold undergraduate degrees as they head to New Orleans for the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Six Longhorns played the entire 2018 season with a degree in hand: Calvin Anderson (Mathematical Economics from Rice); Andrew Beck (Corporate Communications); Jak Holbrook (Radio-Television-Film); Chris Nelson (Applied Learning and Development); Elijah Rodriguez (Physical Culture and Sports); and Tre Watson (Sociology from California).
"Graduating is something that I've dreamed of each and ever day, but walking across the state was a relief," senior captain Chris Nelson said. "Becoming the first person from my family to do it made it a major accomplishment and having everyone there with me meant a lot. Having my degree this season allowed me to play free each and every day. Having my degree from The University of Texas will go a long way, and I look forward to being able to wear my T-Ring around when it comes in."
Student-athletes are not just on campus because of sports. For me, being a student-athlete means achieving success in the classroom, too. This past spring, I was proud to become the first from my family to graduate college. #NCAAInclusion pic.twitter.com/nsyA95Q8Cw
— Chris Nelson (@chrisnelson2455) October 2, 2018
Another six Longhorns earned their degrees in December: Austin Allsup (Architectural Engineering); Jerrod Heard (Youth and Community Studies); P.J. Locke III (Physical Culture and Sports); Charles Omenihu (Sport Management); Cameron Townsend (Health Promotion and Behavioral Science); and Tim Yoder (Youth and Community Studies).
3.7GPA pretty good end to my last semester of School 😎
— Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) December 21, 2018
"It was the biggest relief of my life," senior defensive end Charles Omenihu said after graduating in three-and-a-half years. "I was able to accomplish something that not a lot of people accomplish and I know that it makes my parents very proud. Achieving a 3.7 GPA in my final semester was awesome as it showed that I have been putting as much work in off the field as I have on it. My degree from The University of Texas is something that I can always fall back on when football is over."
Bigger than football.#ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/fMyFlNvS8i
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 17, 2018
