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Auburn backup QB: Nick Marshall will win Heisman

By WTOP Staff

JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn’s backup quarterback predicts Nick Marshall will win the Heisman Trophy this season.

Jeremy Johnson expresses much less certainty over who will start the opening game since Marshall is expected to begin the season on the bench as punishment.

“He led us to the national championship (game), and we were 13 seconds away,” Johnson said. “And this year he got better at passing, better at running, better at making reads. He’s become a leader on this team and I’ve never seen him so amped at practice every day the way he is, the way he comes out. So I know for a fact he’ll win the Heisman.”

The common presumption is that Johnson will be the starter against Arkansas on Aug. 30. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has said only that Marshall won’t start the game after the quarterback was cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana in July.

If the coaches have decided how long to hold Marshall out, or even whether Johnson will start in his place, the sophomore said over the weekend that they haven’t told him.

Third-teamer Sean White is a freshman.

Johnson said he’s not stressing over the uncertainty, and he’s not about to wander into Malzahn’s office and asks if he’s starting.

“I’m very confident and I know the team’s confidence in me and I know they have my back, so if I’m called upon I’ll be ready,” Johnson said.

Malzahn has said he and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee had already decided Johnson will play more this season. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder offers a change-up to the smaller, quicker Marshall.

The former Alabama Mr. Football played in six games last season, starting for an injured Marshall against Western Carolina and playing most of the way against Florida Atlantic. He passed for 393 yards and six touchdowns with a pair of interceptions in those two games and appears to have earned the confidence of his coaches and teammates.

Tight end C.J. Uzomah said Johnson emerged as a team leader even before preseason camp began.

“Jeremy could start probably anywhere else in the SEC,” Uzomah said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him.”

Johnson showed his support for Marshall, who he calls a good friend, well before the Heisman prediction. He said he called the preseason All-Southeastern Conference pick as soon as he heard about Marshall’s legal run-in.

The quarterback’s mother has paid the $1,100 in fines, meaning Marshall won’t have to appear in court.

“If you’re the quarterback at Auburn, you’re the face of the program regardless of what you’ve done in the past,” Johnson said. “Whatever happens you’re still the face. He knows that and he’s learned from his mistake and it won’t ever happen again.”

Johnson said he’s perfectly comfortable running zone read plays like Marshall. He said a primary offseason focus has been working on his timing with quick throws from a three-step drop.

If Johnson indeed does start against the Razorbacks, he insists jitters won’t be a problem.

“I’m really not going to be nervous,” he said. “It’s just football is football. I’m a football player. That’s why I’m here. I’m really not going to be nervous.”

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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