Skip to main content

Huskers’ Gregory wants to expand game beyond sacks

By WTOP Staff

ERIC OLSON
AP College Football Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Randy Gregory wants to be known for more than just being a pass rusher.

A sack total that jumped off the stat sheet last season helped established him as a possible high draft pick for 2015. The Nebraska junior went into the start of preseason practice Monday night with the objective of becoming a complete player.

“I can’t say I want this amount of tackles or sacks or anything like that,” Gregory said. “If I feel like I’ve improved my overall game, I’ll be happy. Some other people might not be satisfied, but I’m out here for the team and myself and to help us win championships and make myself a better player.”

Gregory burst onto the scene after missing the 2012 season at Arizona Western Community College because of a broken leg. He arrived in Lincoln a few days before fall practice, made the starting lineup by the second game and finished the season with a Big Ten-leading 10 1/2 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

For all his flashiness off the edge, Gregory knows he must get better against the run.

“I think I used my hands real well, but at times I don’t use them correctly,” he said. “That’s a big thing I’ve been working on, just my get-off, simple things. I know a lot of people see me as a pass rusher, and every day I try to perfect that. Trying to work on my play against the run and just my eyes and reading keys better, that’s been big for me this offseason.”

Gregory’s difficulty holding his ground against the run stemmed from his struggle to maintain weight. He dropped as low as 230 pounds last season.

Late last week Gregory was up to 248 — “and a half,” he added with emphasis.

Some NFL draft projections have Gregory listed in the upper half of the first round next year. Gregory said he wouldn’t decide until after the season whether to enter the draft as an underclassman. But he acknowledged he bought an insurance policy two months ago to protect himself in case an injury causes his draft position to drop.

“That usually means you’re going,” said Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys personnel director and current NFL draft consultant.

Brandt said Gregory is a great talent, but he always would advise an underclassman to stay in school to mature physically and mentally.

“Ideally he should be 275 pounds,” Brandt said. “Practice hasn’t even started yet. Historically once practices start — and even though they’re eating better than before — they usually drop 10 pounds. His whole thing is, right now, he’s a very good undersized defensive lineman.”

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Gregory has benefited greatly from spending the summer in Lincoln and training with teammates and the Huskers’ strength and conditioning staff.

“He’s only scratched the surface of what he’s going to be down the line,” Pelini said.

Pelini is one of the people who have cautioned Gregory about getting caught up in statistics.

“It’s about developing yourself, playing fundamentally sound, doing the things that you need to be successful on an every-down basis,” he said. “I think he understands that. He’s more physically developed than he was when we first got him. And he’s continuing to grow, get bigger, and put some more meat on his frame. And as that happens, I think you’re going to see a guy who becomes an even more well-balanced player.”

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