Skip to main content

K-State could use rare running back-by-committee

By WTOP Staff

DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The top three returning running backs for No. 20 Kansas State this season have combined to carry the ball 11 times for 55 yards. None of them has ever scored a touchdown.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The graduations of three-year starter John Hubert and longtime backup Robert Rose have left a massive void for the Wildcats in the offensive backfield, and that could lead to a rare events: Bill Snyder just might put a freshman in the starting lineup.

Sure, senior DeMarcus Robinson has played in six games over the course of his career, and Charles Jones and Jarvis Leverett Jr. have spent time on the scout squad. But none of them carries the same expectations of incoming freshman Dalvin Warmack, one of the top prep running backs to emerge from the Kansas City area in the past three decades.

The first two-time winner of the Simone Award, given to the area’s top high school player, Warmack could crack the starting lineup in the first few weeks of the season — though it appears Jones has the inside track for Saturday’s opener against Stephen F. Austin.

“More often than not, my preference would be to redshirt virtually all our freshman,” Snyder explained, “but (Warmack) will have the opportunity to compete in every way.”

Partly because of his immense talent. Partly because the Wildcats need him.

Hubert ran for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and second-leading rusher Daniel Sams — who played quarterback — transferred in the offseason. That means the top returning rusher is starting QB Jake Waters, who ran for 312 yards and six scores a year ago.

That would have been a decent Friday night for Warmack, who piled up 2,300 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns as a junior, and had 2,223 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior. Those numbers along with his diminutive nature have led to comparisons to former Kansas State star Darren Sproles, who also attended high school in suburban Kansas City and now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“That’s the one position I feel like has the best chance to play early in college football,” Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel said. “At running back, your instincts carry you.

“Instinctually, Dalvin is everything I expected when we recruited him, and his football IQ is very good,” Dimel added. “Sometimes you get these talented players and their football IQ isn’t what you thought it would be, and it is like, ‘Oh gosh,’ you have to start over every day. He’s not like that. He’s very much the opposite of that.”

The rest of the guys aren’t willing to cede the job without a fight.

Robinson is expected to start the season in the backfield, mostly because he’s the only guy who has logged a college carry. But he’s plenty talented in his own right, running for close to 5,000 yards during a decorated high school career in Wichita, Kansas.

Jones had 1,767 yards and 22 touchdowns during his senior season in Mandeville, Louisiana, while Leverette was rated as one of the best prep running backs in Texas his senior season.

“All three of us can easily fill John Hubert’s shoes,” Leverett said, “and that’s my biggest thing, letting the fans know, ‘Yeah, we had a three-year starter, but we’ve been learning from him for two years, three years.’ It’s just a matter of going out and applying what we know.”

When asked what thought of being the Wildcats’ top returning rusher, Waters laughed and then shrugged. He doesn’t expect to be the top gainer this season. And while he’s unwilling to guess who it might be, he does expect someone to put up big numbers.

“We’re going to be good at running back,” Waters said. “We have three or four guys that are a capable of doing anything and everything we ask of them, and we’re going to have to lean on them throughout the year. I’m really excited to see who steps up.”

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
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote