From L to R: Walton, Thomas, Washington, Sikes, McElroy.

Summer graduation for the University of Alabama was held yesterday and five Crimson Tide football players walked the stage to receive their diplomas. They included Quarterback Greg McElroy (business marketing), defensive end Lorenzo Washington (human environmental science), wide receiver Travis Sikes (consumer affairs), defensive lineman Byron Walton and  kicker Heath Thomas.

McElroy will finish his undergraduate degree in just three years with a 3.85 grade point average and graduate magna cum laude.

"It is a great feeling to get this first degree finished," McElroy said. "I made it a priority of mine to graduate in as short of an amount of time as possible, so I can focus on football and getting my masters degree in something that interests me."

According to the athletic department, no less than 11 Crimson Tide players will take the field in 2009 with degrees already in hand, including Drew Davis (marketing), Tyrone King (Health Studies), Eryk Anders (Health Studies), P.J. Fitzgerald (management), Mike Johnson (consumer affairs), Cory Reamer (finance), Chris Rogers (consumer affairs) and Ali Sharrief (human environmental science). On top of that another 10 players are on track to graduate in December.