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A.J. Tarpley’s time in Stanford spotlight arrives

By WTOP Staff

ANTONIO GONZALEZ
AP Sports Writer

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — A.J. Tarpley heard all offseason how Stanford would need to replace the production and locker room leadership linebackers Shayne Skov and Trent Murphy provided.

He heard how the departures of defensive coordinator Derek Mason and inside linebackers coach David Kotulski to Vanderbilt could complicate the Cardinal’s transition. And he heard how the linebackers that were left behind, most notably himself, could be set up for a major setback this season.

Tarpley’s response? He has heard this all before.

“Look at Coach Shaw. When everyone said, ‘Coach Harbaugh’s leaving, how are you going to replace his excitement, his determination for the game?’ He just said he’s David Shaw. He has his way of doing things,” Tarpley said. “To me, that’s worked out pretty well.”

Tarpley is at the forefront of Stanford’s latest leadership shift.

With Skov and Murphy in NFL training camps, the fifth-year senior middle linebacker is the most experienced and decorated player on defense. He has led the team with 216 tackles over the last three seasons, though his success has often been overlooked because of those playing next to him.

“I think Shayne’s personality and Shayne’s big plays that he made maybe put A.J. in the shadow a little bit,” Shaw said. “But when you go back and watch the film, A.J. was extremely productive. And that’s what you’re looking for, a guy that makes the plays he’s supposed to make and that maybe makes the plays he’s not supposed to make.”

Tarpley is expected to become a more proactive leader and public face of Stanford’s defense this season, especially with the Mohawk-sporting, eye-black wearing Skov now fighting for a spot on the San Francisco 49ers. Tarpley said he is ready to take on whatever role is needed to help the two-time defending Pac-12 champions win another title.

But he won’t be somebody that he’s not.

Instead, Tarpley intends to lead teammates by the way he plays and the way he works. He admits there are roles that will have to be filled, such as leading the breakdowns after practices and games, but he believes that is just part of the natural evolution of any Stanford player.

“You become a leader through your whole career here,” Tarpley said. “It’s not something that you’re automatically respected when you’re a senior. You’re respected because of what you’ve done, how you’ve carried yourself through the years.”

Tarpley began to emerge after Skov’s season-ending knee injury in 2011 — wearing a liberal display of eye black to honor his injured teammate — and has remained a constant contributor since. He finished that season with 57 tackles, had 66 in 2012, and 93 last season.

Shaw said Tarpley started to make an impression on the coaching staff in his redshirt freshman season in 2010 during the team’s scrimmages. But there were All-Americans and all-conference performers in front of him, so the former Minnesota Gatorade Football Player of the Year would have to wait his turn to shine on Saturdays.

“It is not surprising at all to see A.J. Tarpley be successful on the field. That dude works just as hard as anybody on this team, if not harder,” senior safety Jordan Richards said. “He’s kind of been outshined by some guys that have a little more media personality, but that’s a darn good football player.”

Tarpley came through in some of the biggest moments for Stanford last year.

He had four solo tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass breakup to help Stanford beat North Division rival Oregon. He finished with seven tackles against Arizona State in the Pac-12 title game, and he had a crucial interception in the win over Washington.

With rigorous road games at Oregon, UCLA, Arizona State and Notre Dame this season, Stanford might tap Tarpley’s talents more than it ever has before. Just don’t expect him to embrace the cameras the way Skov so often did.

“The culture on this team, we almost make fun of each other the more media attention we get,” Tarpley said. “Because that’s something we can’t control. I can’t control if I don’t get the same attention for doing the same thing other guys do, but I’m going to carry myself the same way. I’ve actually never done well with taking compliments. So it’s fine with me if nobody wants to talk to me.”

___

Antonio Gonzalez can be reached at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

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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