SLIPPERY ROCK — Talk about transition.

Butler High School and Slippery Rock University graduate Tim Vernick is taking that word to a whole new level.

A middle linebacker and three-year starter at SRU, Vernick recently graduated from The Rock with a degree in computer science. He works from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day as a cyber security analyst for Farmer's National Bank.

He also does position work from 8 to 9 a.m. at Thompson-Mihalik Stadium and gets his weight lifting in from 4:30 to 6 p.m. each day — because he's not done with football yet.

Vernick is one of numerous Rock seniors taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is taking 10 courses — spread out over the spring, summer and fall semesters — to attain a masters degree in business administration.

“Having my athletic scholarship pay for my masters work is something I never expected,” Vernick said. “That turned out to be a nice surprise.

“All of the classes will be on-line. I'll be able to work at my own pace and that's better for me.”

He plans to continue to work while going through spring football drills and next season “if the time frame all works out for me. I'm gaining valuable experience toward my career right now.”

Vernick isn't alone in this situation. Seventeen of SRU's 18 football seniors this year are coming back next year. Half of those seniors will be attending graduate school.

“It's a great set-up for those guys,” SRU football coach Shawn Lutz said. “They're able to extend their education while still on scholarship.”

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference canceled its 2020 football season last summer because of the pandemic. The NCAA extended football scholarships for another year, accordingly.

This fall was the first one Vernick didn't spend playing football in a number of years.

“It was definitely weird,” he said. “I didn't enjoy it. But at least I've been able to work out with my team. That's better than nothing.”

He's also been afforded more time to recover from the sports hernia surgery he had in January of this year.

Vernick started all 14 games for The Rock in 2019 while playing with that sports hernia. He amassed 63 tackles — 27 solo — last season, along with seven tackles for loss. He was fourth on the team in tackles.

Vernick has 183 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 4.5 quarterback sacks in his collegiate career.

“It affected me,” he admitted of playing with the injury. “Now I'll be completely healthy for next season.

“I have my individual goals. I want to be all-conference. I want to be an All-American.”

Lutz can't hide a smile when he talks about his middle linebacker. Older brother Bob Vernick was a standout middle linebacker at SRU and is now in medical school.

“He's a Vernick,” Lutz said of Tim. “That name means a lot around here.”

But Tim Vernick is coming back for one more season for the same reason as his fellow seniors.

“Those guys feel like they've got unfinished business,” Lutz said.

“Slippery Rock has never won the national championship,” Vernick said. “We believe we have the team that can get there. We came so close last year.

“If we don't get to the championship game next year, our season will be a failure. That's our mind-set. Sure, winning a conference title, getting to the playoffs ... those are nice achievements, but that's not what we're coming back to do.”

The Rock finished 13-1 in 2019, losing 58-15 to Minnesota State in the NCAA Division II semifinals.