Dec. 26, 2017
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
ATLANTA- Sixteen Auburn Tigers will wear patches in Monday's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, signifying their academic accomplishments as Auburn University graduates.
Safety Tray Matthews, who graduated earlier this month, is featured on the SEC's graphic announcing the patches. Fellow defensive backs Stephen Roberts and Jason Smith will also wear the SEC Graduation Patch.
Kicker Daniel Carlson will wear the SEC Graduation Patch for the second straight bowl game. Earlier this month, Carlson earned his MBA, after receiving his bachelor's degree in August 2016, prior to his junior season.
Holder Tyler Stovall and snapper Ike Powell will also wear the SEC Graduation Patch on New Year's Day against UCF.
Auburn's offensive line will be well represented, with graduates Braden Smith, Austin Golson, Darius James, Casey Dunn and Wilson Bell wearing patches.
Linebackers Tre' Williams and Deshaun Davis, friends since childhood in Mobile, both graduated in December.
Brock Campbell, Jaylen McGriff and Chase Ritter have also earned the right to wear the SEC Graduation Patch.
Auburn's degreed delegation is part of 116 SEC players from the conference's nine bowl eligible schools.
The SEC introduced the patch in last season for student-athletes in all sports who have already earned their degree, but have not exhausted their eligibility. The SEC logo patch on their uniforms is replaced with a special patch with the word "Graduate" underneath the conference logo. The patch is similar in design for all conference schools, but it is school-specific in color.
Auburn plays UCF Monday at 11:30 a.m. CT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the 50th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
116 #SECFB student-athletes will rock the #SECgrad patch during bowl games 🎓👀
Full list » https://t.co/iW8s4McnrF#ItJustMeansMore pic.twitter.com/hgzB3TOdam-- Southeastern Conference (@SEC) December 26, 2017
The applaud from the Auburn family while walking across that stage was crazy . It felt like a football game😩😭. So thankful . I love yal!
-- TriggaTray (@Trigga_Tray28) December 16, 2017
I graduate from college today... still seems unreal🤷🏾ÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢"¢'️
-- Tre' Williams (@Trew30_) December 16, 2017
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer