Shaun Dion Hamilton did not participate in Alabama’s 2017 A-Day Game or any of the other 14 spring practices because of a lingering knee injury. But the Crimson Tide inside linebacker had no limitations walking across the stage to receive his degree from UA in Coleman Coliseum this weekend.

Hamilton, a rising senior, earned his degree in business management in three and a half years after enrolling early in 2014. And in June, he will turn his attention to a master’s degree in sports management, his father Shelton Hamilton told BamaOnLine.

Earning his undergraduate degree prior to his senior season was one of many goals Hamilton set for himself before his time at Alabama ends, and he’s accomplished several others.

“He said that, ‘Dad finished college at 21 years and nine months.’ He finished college at 21 years and eight months, so he beat me by one month,” Shelton Hamilton said with a laugh. “I used to always talk to family members, I would say, ‘I’m the youngest college graduate in the family.’

“But I know that was one of his goals, to beat me. That’s just how he is.”

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Hamilton is gearing up for a senior year that will require a lot from the former valedictorian, both on the field and off of it. But if the past is any indicator, the Carver (Ala.) High School product is poised to tackle it head on, just like he did the injury that ended his junior season.

Alabama LB Shaun Dion Hamilton

Still recovering from an ACL he sustained in December’s SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators, Hamilton spent Alabama’s entire spring season in a black, no-contact jersey and knee brace but was seen running sprints, sometimes 50 yards or longer, during media viewing periods.

And this past week, the defender received some good news from Alabama’s team doctor.

“I don’t want to steal his thunder, but he said Dr. (Lyle) Cain cleared him last Wednesday to go and start doing field-type activities,” Shelton Hamilton said. “He was so aggressive with that goal. People are always different with how they tackle an ACL. Some people can tackle it like Adrian Peterson and some people can tackle it like, ‘Hey, it’s just one time. I can get back in due time.’

“He went on the side of ‘I want to be more like Adrian Peterson than being the normal college student.’ … He was just so motivated by this ACL to not let it stop him from getting his goal.”

Before his injury, Hamilton registered 64 tackles, which was good for the fifth-highest total at the season’s end. He also recorded nine tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.

Entering his final season in crimson, Hamilton is set to be the signal caller of the Crimson Tide’s defense with Reuben Foster departing for the NFL. And he has established yet another goal for himself and his fellow linebackers for Alabama’s 2017-18 campaign.

“To live up to the expectation of Alabama’s inside linebackers. The Reuben Fosters, the Rolando McClains, the C.J. Mosleys,” Shelton Hamilton said. “That’s what his goal is. Alabama’s supposed to have the top linebacker in the nation. If it’s him or if it’s Rashaan Evans, that’s his goal, for Alabama to have the top linebacker in the nation.”

The road to achieving that goal and many others starts now with spring practice and graduation in the rearview mirror. And while his recovery is essentially wrapped up with Dr. Cain clearing him for on-field activities, his teammates expect Hamilton to be back and better than ever for fall camp.

“He’s going to be great,” linebacker Keith Holcombe said this spring. “I know I see him working out every day. He’s probably going to be better than all of us coming back because he’s got the best work ethic out of everybody, and he’s going to be ready go.”

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