KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football will have 12 players graduate in the 2019 Fall Commencement ceremony at Thompson-Boling Arena including redshirt seniors Brandon Kennedy and Riley Lovingood, who are earning their master’s degrees on Thursday.

Friday’s ceremonies will celebrate Vols finishing their undergraduate studies and includes seniors Marquez Callaway, Carlin Fils-Aime, Jauan Jennings, Brandon Johnson and Darrell Taylor and redshirt juniors Matt Ballard, Andrew Craig, Jarrett Guarantano and Marcus Tatum.

Of the 12 players graduating this semester, seven are eligible to return next season. That list includes Kennedy and Guarantano.

Obtaining graduate degrees while playing large roles on the field for the Vols has been especially meaningful for Kennedy and Lovingood.

“Graduating early with a second degree is an accomplishment that means so much to me,” said Kennedy, who earned a bachelor’s while at Alabama, before he transferred to UT before the 2018 season. “I’m glad I’ve had the privilege to obtain a master’s degree while also playing football at such a prestigious university.”

Lovingood shared similar sentiments: “To be able to leave my time here at Tennessee with a master’s degree along with a bachelor’s is absolutely incredible,” he said. “I am thankful to be able to represent the Tennessee brand on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

Lovingood was one of many graduates who expressed gratitude to the staff of the Thorton Center, which offers academic counseling services, career development programs and tutor programs among many features.

“It is always a team effort here,” Lovingood said. “Everyone is only wanting to help you accomplish your dreams between professors and counselors, to everyone in the athletics department and at the Thorton.”

Tennessee Football Fall Graduates (Major in Parenthesis):

LB Matt Ballard (Finance)

WR Marquez Callaway (Communication Studies)

TE Andrew Craig (Supply Chain Management)

RB Carlin Fils-aime (Communication Studies)

QB Jarrett Guarantano (Psychology)

WR Jauan Jennings (Communications Studies)

WR Brandon Johnson (Communications Studies)

OL Brandon Kennedy (Sports Psychology & Motor Behavior)

LB Landon Knoll (Agricultural Leadership)

LS Riley Lovingood (Communication Studies)

OL Marcus Tatum (Sport Management)

LB Darrell Taylor (Communication Studies)

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