The National Football Foundation released its list of 1,161 student-athletes on 2018 NCAA and NAIA football rosters today and the Alabama Crimson Tide once again ranks among the national leaders in active players who have already received their degrees.

Alabama’s 12 graduates ties for eighth among all college football programs in the NCAA and NAIA for the 2018 season. It also ties for eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision and shares No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference with Auburn.

Crimson Tide student-athletes who took the field with degrees in hand this season includes Keaton Anderson, Joshua Casher, Ronnie Clark, Johnny Dwight, Hale Hentges, Austin Jones, Derek Kief, Christian Miller, Jamey Mosley, Richie Petitbon, Ross Pierschbacher and Deionte Thompson.

Since 2013, Alabama has seen 136 degrees earned (graduate and undergraduate) by players who were still suiting up for the Crimson Tide following graduation. Since the 2010 season, Alabama has seen 15 players earn a master’s degree before stepping foot on the field for the final time.

As a new initiative of the NFF to showcase the “Good in the Game,” the foundation highlights the impressive 1,174 student-athletes who will take the field in 2018 having already earned their undergraduate degrees and who are now working towards a second degree.

-- In the SEC, Alabama and Auburn each have 12, creating an Iron Bowl that will feature 24 graduates, and Arkansas and South Carolina each have 10.

-- In the ACC, Clemson has 17 graduates on its list, Pittsburgh has 16, Virginia 12, and Miami 11.

-- In the Big 10, Northwestern has 14, Maryland 12, Michigan 11 and Penn State with 10

-- In the Big 12, Baylor has 14, Kansas has 11, Texas Tech and West Virginia each have 10.

-- In the Pac-12, Arizona State has 15 and Washington has nine.

-- UAB identified the most graduates with 19 players on its 2018 roster.

A total of 92 SEC football players have already earned undergraduate degrees and will wear the SEC grad patch this season.

9?2? SEC football players have already earned undergraduate degrees and will wear the #SECgrad?? patch this season. #ItJustMeansMore » https://t.co/2ejjAZ8jJM pic.twitter.com/b49z8VVW3j — Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 5, 2018

With the final first games of their college careers behind them, players with degrees already in hand shared their thoughts on their last seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Redshirt senior outside linebacker Christian Miller

“It means a bunch, especially with it being my last one. I’m excited. All the work we’ve put in, we’re finally going to get to put it to the test, and I’m excited to see what this team’s going to be this year.”

“... I’ve always kind of took a lot of pride in the preparation for things. But I mean with it being your last one, I think there’s just a little more of an edge to me, you know. Just knowing that each game that’s gone, I won’t be able to play that opponent no more. So, I think it gives me just a little bit more fire. I already had it, but I think it just gives me that much more.”

Redshirt senior center Ross Pierschbacher

“It’s a different position. I feel like I was kind of thinking about it this morning, it’s like this whole week I feel like I’m going to be going into my first start. New position, kind of a new role. At guard, it’s like just go hit someone. At center, you’re kind of like ‘I need to know more and kind of game plan more and get more film study,’ so that’ll be different. I think my mindset going into the game will be a little different, as well.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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