'06 MN DT Walker Ashley (Minny...no, maybe USC......no, PSU...no, Minnesota commit)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Well, the only thing that is for sure is that Ashley will not be attending USC.

[Taosman]

Thomps, we could keep apologizing for some people, but what would be the point? Most of us enjoy your input.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I don't think Ashley continues at USC at this point.

[scarletngrey11]

Will enroll at Minnesota in spring
-by WeAreSC.com Aug 20, 2005

[osugrad21]

Star Tribune

Last update: August 20, 2005 at 8:55 PM
Ashley sets sights on joining 'U'
August 21, 2005 UFOT0821.SIDE

Walker Ashley stood inside the Gophers football practice facility in street clothes Saturday after the team held its open scrimmage. The former Eden Prairie star defensive lineman expects to practice on that same field in a Gophers uniform next spring.

Ashley, the state's top recruit in 2004, met with Gophers coaches and told them he will retake his college entrance exam this fall and enroll in school in January.

Ashley signed with Southern California last winter but failed to qualify academically. Ashley (6-5, 300 pounds) returned home last week and began exploring his options.

Ashley said throughout the recruiting process that he felt comfortable with every facet of the Gophers program. On Saturday, he said that the Gophers are a better fit and that he made "the wrong decision" when he signed with USC.

Ashley said he will work with a personal trainer to stay in shape this fall. He can participate in spring practice if he enrolls in January.

Ashley was rated the 11th-best defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com and had scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Ohio State and Penn State, among others.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Ashley wastes no time with decision Zach Johnson
GopherIllustrated.com
Last February Eden Prairie defensive tackle Walker Ashley made a decision that broke a lot of hearts in the Gopher Nation. Just under seven months later, Ashley has decided to return home and will indeed play for the University of Minnesota. Ashley, who was a NCAA Clearinghouse casualty at Southern Cal, should be eligible to enroll at Minnesota for the Spring semester as a full scholarship athlete. He is also projected to be able to participate in Spring practice.




Ashley was on the Minnesota campus unofficially for the annual Fan Fest scrimmage.

"I went down to the 'U' today for the scrimmage and to meet with some of the coaches. After the scrimmage I was able to meet with Coach Mason, Coach Lockwood and Coach Bailey."

"We talked about my different options and they told me that I could let them know my plans at any time. I told them that I didn't need anymore time and I really wanted to be a Gopher."

Ashley will be not enroll until January but will still have a full plate this Fall.

"I just plan to live at home with my parents and continue to workout with my personal trainer. I want to stay in great shape so I will be ready to go come Spring ball. I will also retake the ACT test in October and should be able to become eligible with one more test."

"Due to my GPA I needed a combined score of 76 points on the ACT test when you add up all four of the subtests. My original score was 19, but when you added up the four subtests it only came to 75. For me to qualify for a scholarship at Minnesota I need to score only one point higher on any of the four subtests, because they take the higher subtest score each time you attempt the test."

Ashley wasted no time in letting the coaching community know of his decision.

"I am 100% committed to the Gopher program and will not look at any other schools this time around. I have actually notified all of the coaches who were trying to get back in touch with me that I appreciate their interest but I really just want to stay home and play for the 'U'."

[Ratboy18]

BN has the story linked in their "HOT NEWS" - basically, it says Walker Ashley has decided to transfer to MN.