This fall hasn't been a normal one for anybody in this country.
The coronavirus pandemic didn't stop 51 current and former Ohio State athletes from graduating from the university following the Autumn 2020 semester.
Former linebacker Ryan Shazier, point guard CJ Walker, center Josh Myers, former cornerback Jeff Okudah, defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, former offensive lineman Alex Boone, wing Musa Jallow and linebacker Tuf Borland were among those to earn degrees from their university during Sunday's virtual commencement ceremony.
In total, seven former Buckeye athletes returned to school to take classes and finish their classwork through the degree completion program set up by the athletic department in 1994: Shazier, Boone, Okudah, Connor Curlis (baseball), Sam Jardine (men’s hockey), Isaiah Prince (football) and C.J. Saunders (football). Saunders, who earned a Master's Degree in kinesiology, is currently working on the football staff in an unannounced capacity after having his sixth-year waiver denied by the NCAA earlier this year.
Incredibly proud of our student-athletes who became #OSUgrads this past weekend!
— gene smith (@OSU_AD) December 16, 2020
A special shoutout to these former Buckeye student athletes who returned to complete their degrees! #BuckeyeForLife pic.twitter.com/cKSSFJAb97
Ten football players graduated this fall, including Borland, Garrett, Myers, linebacker Justin Hilliard, tight end Luke Farrell, kicker Blake Haubeil and quarterback Gunnar Hoak. Borland and Hoak were awarded Master's Degrees in sports coaching.
Walker and Jallow were the two players on the men's basketball team to graduate this fall, and Jensen Caretti was the sole women's basketball graduate.
Athletes from 22 sports graduated. A full list of Ohio State athletes to graduate this fall can be found on Ohio State's website.
