Skip to main content

Davis seeking another strong Gamecocks run

By WTOP Staff

PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina tailback Mike Davis knows the NFL is on the horizon. First, though, is the chance to improve on one of the best rushing seasons in Gamecock history.

“In order for me to leave, I have to have a great year so, of course, I’m focusing more on this year ahead,” Davis said Sunday. “If I have that chance to leave, I will go.”

And likely become the latest in a strong run of junior talent to give up their senior years at South Carolina for the pros. There was Buffalo Bills’ cornerback Stephon Gilmore, Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery and, just last May, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the NFL’s No. 1 overall selection by the Houston Texans.

Davis already has a resume to make pro scouts drool with a combination of speed and power, at 223 pounds, that he used to gain 1,183 yards rushing last season — the fourth best single-season at South Carolina.

The only Gamecock runners Davis trails? Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, who had rushing years of 1,894 yards and 1,681 yards, and former teammate Marcus Lattimore, who gained 1,197 yards.

“I didn’t even know that until you just told me, so obviously I wasn’t keeping up with my yardage,” he said. “I’m just concerned with us winning and my teammates do a good job.”

Davis looked like one of the best rushers in the Southeastern Conference through the first nine games, posting seven performances with at least 100 yards and seeing his name among the more prominent league backs like Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley.

Injuries, though, wore Davis down and he gained just 125 yards combined in South Carolina’s final four games. Still, he was instrumental in helping the Gamecocks finish 11-2 for the third straight season.

Davis was slowed down by ankle and rib problems. He could’ve sat out more than one game — he missed South Carolina’s 70-10 victory over Football Championship Subdivision opponent Coastal Carolina — but wanted to show his teammates that he was not going to quit on them simply because he was banged up. “I think that’s important,” he said.

Davis said he thinks about what he must do this year to take another step forward among college football’s best runners. “But I really can’t control that,” he said. “Hopefully, I can be a good teammate. If we keep winning, I don’t really care too much about my stats.”

Davis got a chuckle last week when South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier talked how he’d encourage his tailback to leave for the NFL if the circumstances were right. Spurrier believes the shelf life for pro running backs can be short and he doesn’t want to delay a talented player like Davis for a minute more than the rules allow.

“We’re going to shake his hand and let him go,” Spurrier said. “That’s why you keep on recruiting more running backs.”

The Gamecocks might need them, too.

Davis tweaked a hamstring in offseason workouts and hasn’t practiced full out since camp started Friday night. The Gamecocks hope to give runners Brandon Wilds, Shon Carson and David Williams more carries this year, something Davis isn’t crazy about.

“I don’t too much care for it, but whatever coach Spurrier wants,” Davis said.

Davis understands the importance of this season to his future — and the chancy nature of a long career in the NFL. His older brother James Davis had two 1,000-yard seasons as Clemson’s top running, yet struggled to make an impact due to injuries in his brief NFL time with Cleveland and Washington.

The younger Davis plans to go full out, as always, this season to cap his college career. “I just want to show my teammates that I’ll lay my body down on the line,” he said.

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