MN DL Walker Ashley Announces for USC

Walker Ashley, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive lineman from Eden Prairie (MN) High who was named Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, announced that he will attend USC in a press conference this morning.

Walker Ashley, who led the Eagles to a 10-1 record this season, picked the Trojans over Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and Oklahoma. Ashley played every position on the defensive line and led the Eagles in sacks. He was also an All-Metro first-team pick last season.

Ashley is the son of former Minnesota Viking and Penn State Nittany Lion Walker Lee Ashley and was named one of 10 finalists for Minnesota's Mr. Football, which will be announced later this month.

Ashley visited Minnesota unoffically this past weekend along with Eden Prairie teammate Mike Pavelko, who considered Minnesota as a possible walk-on or even as a scholarship player. However, the Gophers did not have a scholarship for Pavelko, who decided to sign with Gardner-Webb, where his older sister attended on a golf scholarship.