Carling, Holland Jr., Poplar among NFF's list of graduate student-athletes
IRVING, Texas – As the college football season began last week, thousands of student-athletes took to the field to begin another campaign. But nationally, 1,200 of those student-athletes had received their degrees and continued to wear their school colors proudly. The National Football Foundation released its annual list of graduate student-athletes on Wednesday with three Tennessee Tech players among the list as Alex Carling, Melvin Holland Jr. and Josh Poplar were represented.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
IRVING, Texas – As the college football season began last week, thousands of student-athletes took to the field to begin another campaign.
But nationally, 1,200 of those student-athletes had received their degrees and continued to wear their school colors proudly.
The National Football Foundation released its annual list of graduate student-athletes on Wednesday with three Tennessee Tech players among the list as Alex Carling, Melvin Holland Jr. and Josh Poplar were represented.
"The National Football Foundation takes great pride in its role as a leading voice in the promotion of the scholar-athlete," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning in the organization's release. "And highlighting the 1,200 student-athletes who have not only earned their undergraduate degrees but are now pursuing additional diplomas sends a powerful message about the doors that college football opens. This list allows us to showcase those individuals who have truly taken full advantage of the opportunities created by college football."
A total of 235 schools are represented on the list, which includes 836 players from 125 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision, 220 players from 62 schools in the Football Championship Subdivision, 123 players from 34 schools in Division II, nine players from nine schools in Division III and 12 players from five schools in the NAIA.
UAB had the most graduates on its roster with 19 to lead the FBS schools, while Northern Colorado led the FCS schools with 12.
