There’s no age limit on getting a college degree.

Thirty six years ago, Marion Barber Jr. put that opportunity on the back burner when he left Minnesota for the NFL. Barber Jr. was drafted in the second round by the New York Jets, where he played for seven seasons.

But now, at age 57, the former Gophers star is finally making a different dream a reality.

As Barber Jr. told the Star Tribune, he’ll graduate from the University of Minnesota on Thursday. That was after he re-enrolled in the school two years ago.

“It’s been a thorn in my side for a lot of years,” he said via the Star Tribune. “In some regards, I felt like a hypocrite for promoting education with young people and not having the credentials to back what I say.”

RELATED: Cardale Jones played school all the way to a degree, which is pretty cool

The former All-B1G running back left Minnesota as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,094) and rushing touchdowns (34). Barber Jr.’s son, Marion Barber III, bested both of those marks during his time in the Minneapolis.

Barber Jr. had three sons follow in his footsteps and play at Minnesota, which was part of the reason he said he always found an excuse not to return to school.

That might not have happened if not for the Gopher Graduation Program. The initiative was started in 2007 to provide financial aid for former Minnesota athletes wishing to complete their degrees. According to the Star Tribune, more than 50 former Gopher athletes graduated from the program and an additional two dozen are currently taking classes.

Barber attended classes on campus 2-3 days per week and nearly pulled off straight A’s. And fittingly, he had perfect attendance.

Click here to read the entire story of Barber Jr.’s return to Minnesota.