Carl Grimes Is Going to College

Chandler Riggs, a.k.a. Carl Grimes from 'The Walking Dead,' has been accepted into Auburn University in Alabama.

November 7, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

After practically bagging a doctorate in chocolate pudding consumption on The Walking Dead, Chandler "Carl Grimes" Riggs is apparently planning to go full-on collegiate in Alabama. The state, which borders Walking Dead's Georgian headquarters, is home to Auburn University. As Riggs revealed Sunday night just as a new Dead was premiering, he can now count himself among those who have been invited to come permanently hang out at Aubie's house:

Our guy Jon Bernthal, a.k.a. the goddamn Punisher, quickly hit up Riggs for some heartfelt congrats. "I'm proud of you buddy," Bernthal said alongside a throwback photo from his Dead days:

Riggs, 17, hasn't elaborated further on his college plans. But given Auburn's relatively close proximity to Dead's main filming locations, Riggs could feasibly hit the books while also continuing to endure the weekly trauma of the AMC blockbuster as one-eyed Carl.

Riggs is presumably locked in for at least one more year of Dead duty, as AMC predictably renewed the series for season 8 last month. "What a joy to partner with Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, and some of the hardest-working people in television to bring The Walking Dead to the fans," AMC boss Charlie Collier said when announcing the renewal. "And, most important, thanks to those fans for breathing life into this remarkable series right along with us."

But does Riggs pulling a Rivers Cuomo while The Walking Dead is still as popular as ever mean something dire is afoot for Grimes? No. Probably not. Stop it.