University of Alabama Honors 114 Student-Athletes at 2026 Spring Graduation

The University of Alabama is gearing up to celebrate the graduation of 114 student-athletes this weekend. It’s a big milestone for these students, both academically and athletically.

These graduates didn’t just compete in their sports—they also crushed it in the classroom. This year’s group features an Olympian, a handful of All-America honorees, and two Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

They’ve left their mark on their teams, racking up everything from College Football Playoff appearances to national records in track and field. Honestly, you can’t help but admire what they’ve pulled off.

Celebrating Academic and Athletic Excellence

Alabama’s student-athletes have really shown that you can thrive both on the field and in the classroom. This graduating class includes:

• 120 degrees awarded—94 bachelor’s and 26 master’s degrees.
• Eight student-athletes earning two degrees each.
• Three College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans: Emily Jones (women’s swim), Rachel Rybicki (gymnastics), and Tim Korstanje (men’s swim).
• Two SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Emily Jones and Karly Weathers (women’s basketball).

Notable Graduates and Achievements

Some graduates really stood out with their achievements:

• Tarsis Orogot (men’s track and field) leaves as a Paris Olympian and a four-time Ugandan national record holder.
• Mack Wilson, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2019, is finally getting his degree.
• Tyler Fay threw Alabama’s first 9-inning complete-game no-hitter since 1942, and he did it against Florida on March 20, 2026.
• Rachel Rybicki picked up the 2025 Elite 90 award for her academic and athletic accomplishments.
• Jonathan Griz (men’s golf) capped off his time at UA with a spot in the 2025 U.S. Amateur qualifier as a two-year captain.

Impact on Alabama’s Athletic Programs

These student-athletes have made a real difference for Alabama’s athletic programs. Their efforts led to:

• College Football Playoff appearances
• A men’s basketball Final Four run
• A softball women’s College World Series appearance
• A women’s soccer College Cup berth
• Multiple Southeastern Conference Championships in men’s and women’s cross country, football, and soccer.

Degrees Earned

Here’s the breakdown of degrees earned:

• 94 bachelor’s degrees
• 26 master’s degrees
• Eight student-athletes picked up two degrees each.

Individual Achievements

Several student-athletes earned recognition for their individual accomplishments:

• Emily Jones (women’s swim) won the College Sports Communicators Academic All-American honor twice.
• Rachel Rybicki (gymnastics) and Tim Korstanje (men’s swim) each earned it once.
• Korstanje also received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.
• Jones and Karly Weathers (women’s basketball) were named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year this year.

Graduates by Sport

These graduates represent a wide range of sports, including:

• Baseball: Bobby Alcock, Hagan Banks, Logen Devenport, Tyler Fay, Bryce Fowler, Brennan Holt, Zach Kittrell, Coleman Mizell, Austin Morris, Brady Neal, Jimmy Nelson, Will Plattner, Tate Robertson.
• Men’s Basketball: Houston Mallette, Preston Murphy Jr., Noah Williamson, Latrell Wrightsell Jr.
• Women’s Basketball: Waiata Jennings, Ta’Mia Scott, Jessica Timmons, Karly Weathers.
• Football: JD Baird, Prince Butler, Brody Dalton, Kam Dewberry, Fatutoa Henry, Vito Perri, Yhonzae Pierre, Casey Poe, Reid Schuback, Mack Wilson.
• Men’s Golf: Connor Brown, Jonathan Griz, Tristin Wisener.
• Women’s Golf: Ryan Flynn, Mattison Frick.
• Gymnastics: Karis German, Lillian Lewis, Jordyn Paradise, Natalia Pawlak, Rachel Rybicki.
• Rowing: Mackenzie Ayon, Halye Barlow, JennaMarie Brames, Emily Curl, Mary Czaja, Sierra Durkee, Dani French, Renni Fultz, Jayden Grisaffe, Lizzie Hall, Kathryn Kennefick, Olivia Lestelle, Kathleen Moran, Paige Perrott, Logan Presho, Haylie Salce, Shelby Schoeman, Ashley Sizelove, Emma Voelkerding.
• Soccer: Leah Kunde, Marie Vanore.
• Softball: Abby Duchscherer, Marlie Giles, Kinley Pate, Larissa Preuitt, Alexis Pupillo, Kristen White, Jena Young.
• Men’s Swimming and Diving: Drayden Bell, Isiah Hilton, Tanner Jones, Tim Korstanje, Connor Little, Ethan Otten.
• Women’s Swimming and Diving: Laci Black, Laurel Blase, Mackenzie Brandt, Ella Jones, Emily Jones, Maggie Ella Robbins, Ryleigh Rodgers, Charlotte Rosendale, Alison Thome, Alexandra Warshaw, Stella Grace Watts.
• Men’s Tennis: Carlos Gimenez Perez.
• Women’s Tennis: Maria Andrienko, Klara Milicevic.
• Men’s Track and Field: Mitchell Allen, Carson Burian, Donald Chiyangwa, Kai Connor, Christopher Crawford, Kai Crawford, Harry Crosby, Patrick Daves, Trevor Gunzell, Quinn Harder, Hudson Hurst, John Landers, Gregory Lapit, John O’Donnell, Tarsis Orogot, Christopher Young.
• Women’s Track and Field: Kaylie Crews, Caelyn Harris, Leah Kleekamp, Crawford West.
• Volleyball: Sophie Agee, Lily Hopkins, Callie Kieffer, Trinity Stanger, Sarah Stevens.

The Future for Graduating Student-Athletes

Now, as these student-athletes move on to whatever’s next, they’re taking with them the skills and grit they built from juggling tough classes and intense practices. Their time at Alabama has set them up for success, whether they stick with sports or chase something totally different.

Conclusion

These 114 student-athletes really put in the work, and the University of Alabama backed them up every step of the way. Their graduation isn’t just a number—it’s proof of what’s possible with some grit and a solid support system.

Honestly, the legacy they’re leaving? It’s bound to fire up the next wave of student-athletes. If you want the full scoop on the ceremony and what these folks achieved, check out the official announcement.