UGA graduates Friday include football legend and Olympic gold medalist

Thirty-one University of Georgia student athletes will graduate Friday as caps and gowns walk into Stegeman Coliseum for official ceremonies.

The Georgia football program will have 11 current and former players graduate, while an Olympic gold medalist in track, baseball, volleyball, men's and women's tennis programs and more will have graduates.

Here's a look at who will walk Friday in Stegeman Coliseum, and the former Georgia football player and NFL star who will earn his degree.

University of Georgia football graduates

Georgia football lists 11 players as Friday graduates, including former standout Justin Houston.

Houston came back to earn his Housing Management & Policy degree after 13 years in the NFL.

The defensive end/outside linebacker finished his career with 112 sacks, including 22 in 2014, which ties for third most for a season in NFL history. A third round pick by Kansas City, Houston spent much of his career with the Chiefs before stints with Indiana, Baltimore and Carolina. He has not played since being released by Miami in 2023.

The Statesboro native had 20 sacks and an interception in his time with the Bulldogs.

The 10 other Bulldogs graduating include starting lineman Earnest Greene (Housing Management & Policy), starting defensive back Daylen Everette (Sport Management) and defensive lineman Christen Miller (Housing Management & Policy).

It also includes Henry Bates (Risk Management and Insurance), Tyler Clark (Sociology), Terrell Foster (Risk Management and Insurance), Patrick Hester (Management), Cooper Johnson (Sport Management), Toby Johnson (Sociology) and Kavon Townsend (Housing Management & Policy).

Olympic Gold Medalist set to graduate

Olympic gold medalist Aaliyah Butler (International Affairs) earns her degree Friday, along with track teammates Kaila Jackson (Journalism) and Autumn Wilson (Finance) of the women's team, and North Oconee grad Jordan Fick (Sport Management) and Alon Rogow (Sport Management) of the men's team.

Butler won the gold in the 4x400 relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while also placing 20th in the 400 meter race.

More University of Georgia athletes graduating

Here are others graduating Friday, in a list provided by University of Georgia athletics.

Baseball Robert Burnett (Housing Management & Policy), Brandt Pancer (Real Estate)

Women's BasketballSavannah Henderson (Sociology)

EquestrianAphrodite Papandreou (Real Estate )

SoccerMadeline Baker (Consumer Economics), Jordan Brown (Psychology), Summer Denigan (Sport Management)

SoftballLilliana Backes (Finance), Madison Kerpics (Masters in Comparative Biomedical Science)

Men's Swimming and DivingTommy-Lee Camblong (Biology), Sam Parker (Psychology)

Men's TennisMiguel Perez Pena (Financial Planning), Oscar Pinto Sansano (Political Science)

VolleyballEstelle Haugen (Dietetics), Bianna Muoneke (Sociology)

Ryne Dennis is the Deep South Connect Team Editor for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X @RyneDennis and email at [email protected]. 

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA graduation includes Georgia football legend and Olympic gold medalist