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Kentucky DEs Dupree, Smith form pass-rush threat

By WTOP Staff

GARY B. GRAVES
AP Sports Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky defensive ends Alvin “Bud” Dupree and Za’Darius Smith could have tried to cash in on impressive junior seasons and entered the NFL draft.

Both ultimately decided they had to more work to do with a Wildcats defense that can certainly use their pass-rushing skills.

Smith and Dupree are back for their senior seasons, good news for Kentucky in many ways. The duo combined for 13 sacks — ranking top-10 individually in that category in the Southeastern Conference — 16 tackles for loss and 120 stops last season.

Dupree and Smith enter Saturday’s opener against Tennessee-Martin bigger, stronger and more familiar with Kentucky’s 4-3 base scheme. They’ve also filled the leadership void left by the departure of all-SEC linebacker Avery Williamson, critical for a defense that’s still young at many spots.

With the Wildcats seeking respectability after back-to-back 2-10 seasons, both wanted to be part of the uphill march.

“I pretty much had my mind made up to come back,” said Dupree, a preseason all-SEC second team selection after leading Kentucky with seven sacks and standing second on the team with 61 tackles.

“I wanted to get my degree and didn’t want to bail on the team. I had to finish some things and had some improvements to make. Plus, I want to go to a bowl game.”

Graduating was also high on Smith’s list of priorities that include building on his solid debut after transferring from East Mississippi Community College. Billed as one of the nation’s top junior college defensive line prospects when he arrived, Smith followed up with 59 tackles and six sacks.

Smith’s disruptive style even drew parallels to South Carolina counterpart Jadaveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in last spring’s NFL draft. Surprised by the comparison, the 6-foot-6, 263-pounder’s focus has been establishing his own fearsome reputation.

“Last year was a learning experience for me, being my first in the SEC and getting everything down pat in the run game and the pass game,” he said. “Now, it’s more of translating and being better.”

Both expect to do so with more freedom, especially the 6-4, 264-pound Dupree. Though listed in the media guide as an end, the depth chart has him as the starting strong-side linebacker, a testament to his versatility.

Dupree’s preparation for both roles has included gaining 15 pounds to combat double-team blocking and improving his footwork to handle pass coverage. Smith has put in extra reps on the sled and the bags in hopes of creating moves to get around blockers.

Both have a mutual goal of making it hard for opponents to double-team either one of them.

“I really like the freedom,” said Dupree, who had a career-high 13 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss in a close defeat at Mississippi State last season.

“Last year, I did little things to confuse opponents and like to keeping them guessing because I’m able to get to the quarterback as well as cover the flat. Wherever the team needs me, I’ll play.”

That’s no small issue for Kentucky, which lost one of the SEC’s top tacklers in Williamson and is trying to build depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Having Dupree and Smith back has given the rebuilding Wildcats experience and leadership for their youngsters.

“Our players see those guys out there, they make plays, they’re consistent, they’re always there,” coach Mark Stoops said of the two on Monday.

“I’m pretty tight with my compliments and conservative when it comes to complimenting guys until they’ve proved it and earned it, but I probably haven’t complimented those guys enough to be honest with you.”

Also needing a face to sell the rebuilding program, Kentucky has been able to double down with Smith and Dupree as pitchmen on billboards, posters and pop-up ads. A huge banner featuring both drapes the south side of Commonwealth Stadium. The two often drive past a billboard with his likeness.

Said Smith, “I just look up every time and it puts a smile on my face.”

Both hope to smile even more by helping the Wildcats turn the program around.

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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