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Mississippi’s young OT Tunsil already a star

By WTOP Staff

DAVID BRANDT
AP Sports Writer

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil was one of the Southeastern Conference’s best left tackles last season, allowing just one sack in 12 games by combining elite athleticism, intelligence and strength.

Maybe most impressive about his debut season: He was only a teenager.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Tunsil just turned 20 last week, but the sophomore is undeniably one of the Rebels’ most important players as they try to compete in the SEC’s Western Division.

The Lake City, Florida, native was so good, so fast that his name is already appearing at the top of NFL mock drafts for 2016. But Tunsil — who is described as soft-spoken and uncommonly mature by teammates and coaches — brushes aside most compliments.

“I just don’t pay attention to that stuff,” Tunsil said. “I keep working and I stay humble. I’ve still got a lot of things to work on.”

Tunsil was one of the prized prospects from the Rebels’ 2013 recruiting class that also included defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and receiver Laquon Treadwell. He became a vital contributor almost immediately and was charged with protecting quarterback Bo Wallace’s blind side.

Tunsil’s importance was readily apparent late in the season when he left the Egg Bowl in the first half with a knee injury. Without him, the Rebels couldn’t move the ball and eventually lost 17-10 to Mississippi State in overtime.

Ole Miss guard Justin Bell said Tunsil has an ideal mix of talent and maturity.

“Laremy was coached really well in high school because he came in and knew what to do immediately,” Bell said. “And then part of it is just natural ability. He has great bending, footwork. He’s just a natural talent — that’s what he does.”

Ole Miss returns a veteran team this season, which is one big reason the Rebels expect to improve on last season’s 8-5 record.

But for coach Hugh Freeze, the offensive line is a concern. The Rebels are replacing three starters and the heir apparent at right tackle — sophomore Austin Golson — surprisingly elected to transfer during the spring.

That’s why Tunsil’s presence at left tackle is so soothing. It is one spot Freeze doesn’t have to worry about.

“Obviously we have a special one in Laremy Tunsil,” Freeze said. “We hope and pray that he has a healthy and outstanding year.”

Tunsil said veterans like Bell were a big reason he had such a successful freshman season. He said Bell’s advice was simple — “just keep your head on straight, learn from experience and keep your cool.”

The Rebels open the season Aug. 28 against Boise State in Atlanta.

“You’re not going to have to worry about us,” Bell said. “We take pride in what we do. We’re going to work hard this camp and we’re using any negative criticism as motivation.”

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Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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