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Freshman RBs often make immediate impact in SEC

By WTOP Staff

STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — LSU freshman running back Leonard Fournette’s plans for this season don’t include any false modesty.

“My expectations for this year are to rush for 1,000 yards, be All-SEC, be All-America and be a Heisman Trophy candidate,” Fournette said.

The Southeastern Conference’s recent history suggests at least the first goal is very much within reach.

More than any other league, the SEC has become a place where a freshman running back can make an immediate impact. Over the last four years, eight true freshmen nationwide have rushed for at least 1,000 yards. Five were from the SEC: South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore (1,197) and Auburn’s Michael Dyer (1,093) in 2010, Georgia’s Todd Gurley (1,385) and Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon (1,108) in 2012 and Arkansas’ Alex Collins (1,026) in 2013.

“Those kids show up physically able to run the ball well in this league,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said.

That trend could continue this season.

Five of the top eight 2014 running back or all-purpose back prospects as rated by Rivals signed with SEC schools: Fournette, Auburn’s Roc Thomas, Georgia teammates Sony Michel and Nick Chubb and Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd.

This recent wave of productive SEC freshman rushers represents a major change. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

While the only SEC true freshman to run for at least 1,000 yards from 2004-09 was Arkansas’ Darren McFadden in 2005, as a growing number of underclassmen enter the NFL draft each season, it opens the doors for freshmen to contribute right away at every position.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said freshman running backs and receivers have an easier time adjusting than other newcomers because those positions rely so much on instinct.

“No coach teaches you how to make a guy miss,” Saban said. “No coach teaches you how to explode through a hole and outrun anybody. No coach really teaches you how to run past the corner because you’re faster than they are. Technically, there’s probably less that (players at) those positions have to learn.”

That doesn’t mean they’re completely polished.

Richt said learning the intricacies of pass protection can slow down a freshman’s progress, and Hurd agreed that’s been his biggest challenge. Bielema said Collins could have picked up 300 additional yards last year with better decision making.

Bielema also noted that a running back’s statistics often can highlight his attributes and hide his mistakes. So even though a running back may get better as he gains more experience, he can have a big season statistically right away.

“Whereas, if you’re a linebacker, you can be the greatest player in the world, you can make a great read, a great reaction, and then everybody’s like, ‘Oh, you stink,'” Bielema said. “The negatives of a running back don’t really show in the open world.”

If it were just a byproduct of the position, freshman running backs would have similar success in all conferences. But the only three true freshmen outside the SEC to rush for at least 1,000 yards over the last four years were San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman (1,532) and Wisconsin’s James White (1,052) in 2010 and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon (1,194) in 2012.

The SEC has the most productive freshman running backs because it’s usually attracting the best of the group. Over the last five recruiting classes, 24 running backs have been rated as five-star prospects by the 247Sports Composite, which measures rankings of all the major services. Eleven landed at SEC schools, while no other conference signed more than five.

“Players want to play in the best football conference in the country, and where else but the SEC?” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “I think the opportunity is there. You’re talking about the best of the best, being able to attract (them). And I think we’ve had some very talented offensive lines in this conference and also speed around them.”

Of this year’s freshmen, Chubb and Michel will compete for playing time in a Georgia backfield that already features Gurley and Keith Marshall, who have a combined 3,379 career yards rushing. Thomas will definitely play but must work his way up Tennessee’s depth chart.

Fournette and Hurd have a chance to step in right away. He was rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in his class by the 247Sports Composite. Hurd, the leading rusher in Tennessee’s spring game, is expected to share carries with senior Marlin Lane at the start.

The recent success of SEC freshman running backs is apparent to the league’s most fervent fans, who follow recruiting rankings and wonder who’s next. Hurd is eager to get started.

The Vols freshman said he can’t wait to show “what I can do.”

___

AP sports writer Kurt Voigt in Fayetteville, Arkansas, AP writer George Henry in Athens, Georgia, and AP freelance writer Bryan Lazare in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

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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