Last month, Florida A&M defensive lineman Tyrese Gibson-Battles completed a deed undone by his family in a century.

Graduate college.

In May, Gibson-Battles conferred his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from FAMU, focusing on quantitative analysis. He’s the first to earn a degree within 100 years of his family’s history.

Gibson-Battles garnered Summa Cum Laude honors for finishing college with a 3.87 overall grade point average and a perfect 4.0 semester grade point average. It was the highest graduating grade point average on the Rattlers football team.

Gibson-Battles’ college graduation is emblematic to his devotion to education and the goals he journaled throughout his youth.

“All praise to the most high,” Gibson-Battles said in a one-on-one interview with the Tallahassee Democrat at FAMU’s Bragg Memorial Stadium. “It’s really special and was very important for me to be the first to do it. I knew I had it in me. It was a goal of mine, and I knew I wanted to be successful since I was very young.

“Growing up, I didn’t have anyone to look up to regarding education. Now, the younger generations coming up can realize it’s not a dream that’s not too far out of their reach. I created history. But I wasn’t trying to make history. I was trying to be me and be great.

“This isn’t a regular degree. It means so much more.”

This fall, Gibson-Battles will begin pursuing his Masters of Business Administration from FAMU’s School of Business and Industry while concurrently playing his final college football season for the defending Black College National Champions Rattlers.

Once he receives his MBA and it’s time to trade in his shoulder pads and football cleats for a suit, tie, and dress shoes, the math whiz Gibson-Battles sees himself delving into entrepreneurship and accounting.

“Business, math, and public speaking clicked,” Gibson-Battles said. “Ultimately, I want to dibble and dabble in so many areas as far as insurance, accounting, financial advising, or working for corporations. I want to be close to business. It’s so many avenues. But I have to be an entrepreneur and business owner. It’s important to me and my family.”

As a defensive lineman, Gibson-Battles hates opposing quarterbacks. He even says it in his X/Twitter bio.

However, the FAMU graduate wants people to know he’s more than an imposing football player looking to make the next hard-hitting tackle. FAMU football’s academics are on the upswing after improving by 49 points for a 950 Academic Progress Rate for 2022-2023 with the help of FAMU football’s Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success and Competitive Excellence, Carrie Hickey Tollison.

“Football players are not just robots,” Gibson-Battles said. “It’s very important to represent inside the classroom and on the field to show folks it’s not easy, but it’s possible to do both.”

From Cleveland to Tallahassee: Tyrese Gibson-Battles arrives at FAMU for a fresh start

After stints at NCAA Division II Urbana University and Garden City Community College, Gibson-Battles transferred to play Division I football at FAMU before the 2023 season.

He’s far from his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio — nearly 15 hours and 1,000 miles away, to be specific.

While his migration down south took an inevitable adjustment period, it also was a full circle moment for Gibson-Battles as he has family in the area and plays for a Cleveland Cavaliers legend LeBron James-branded athletic program at FAMU.

Gibson-Battles saw his arrival at FAMU as a step towards progress. He earned his education from the top public HBCU while helping the Rattlers win the Black College Football National Championship.

“I was destined to be here. I knew I had to sacrifice and step outside my comfort zone in this journey to be great and make something of myself,” Gibson-Battles said.

“Being away from home is challenging and one of the hardest things ever. To be far away from your family with few resources and help while trying to excel in the classroom and on the field at one of the most challenging times in society sounds impossible. What gets me through is God, the fear of being average, and the drive to have the ability to provide for my family.

“Home will be there. I got to go chase greatness.”

Gibson-Battles’ first school, Urbana, closed down in 2020 while he was a student-athlete. It was only two hours away from his home in Cleveland.

Urbana’s closing led Gibson-Battles to Garden City Community College in Kansas, 17 hours away from Cleveland.

His experience with the smaller programs at Urbana and GCCC boosted Gibson-Battles’ work ethic, ultimately landing Gibson-Battles on The Highest of Seven Hills.

“It’s discipline and everyday sacrifice. Everything is not all rainbows and sunshine,” Gibson-Battles said, reflecting on his time before FAMU. “You’re only great as your accomplishments. All the hardships have only made me the person I’m supposed to be because adversity builds character.”

FAMU football's Tyrese Gibson-Battles hopes his journey is a motivator to all

Gibson-Battles has enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

He started with humble beginnings in Cleveland and arrived in Tallahassee to pursue higher education while becoming a national champion.

Gibson-Battles respects and appreciates the journey.

“Life is short, man. Enjoy the beauty of it and do the right thing,” Gibson-Battles said. “I come from absolutely nothing, and I just had the will. You got to want it worse than your next breath.”

As he moves on to his next stage of education and last season with the Rattlers, Gibson-Battles hopes to be a guiding light to the next generation.

The framework is set.

And his purpose luminously shines through all his milestones throughout his 23 years of life.

“In a world full of negativity, I’m just trying to do something positive and be great while I’m doing it,” Gibson-Battles said. “I do this for my family and mom, who sacrificed her whole life to raise us. I do this for everyone who has every odd one stacked against them. I hope other folks follow in my footsteps.

“Shoutout to mom dukes and and Cleveland.”

Florida A&M Rattlers 2024 Football Schedule

• Aug. 24 vs. Norfolk State in MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Atlanta* at 7:30 p.m., ABC

• Aug. 31 vs. South Carolina State, 6 p.m., ESPN+

• Sept. 7 at Miami, 6 p.m., ACC Network

• Sept. 21 at Troy, 7 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+

• Sept. 28 vs. Alabama A&M, 6 p.m., ESPN+

• Oct. 5 at Alabama State, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+

• Oct. 19 at Jackson State, 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN Network

• Oct. 26 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN Network

• Nov. 2 vs. Texas Southern (HOMECOMING), 4 p.m., ESPN+

• Nov. 9 at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+

• Nov. 16 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1 p.m.

• Nov. 23 vs. Bethune-Cookman, Orlando*, 3:30 p.m., ESPN Network

• Nov. 30: FCS Playoffs Begin

• Dec. 7: SWAC Championship, LOCATION/TEAMS TBA, ESPN2

• Dec. 14: Celebration Bowl, Atlanta*, TEAMS TBA, 12 p.m., ABC

BOLD = SWAC

* = Neutral Site

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers' Gibson-Battles an honor grad, has team's top GPA