Eden Prarie (Minn.) defensive tackle/defensive end Walker Ashley (6-5, 285, 4.85, Scout.com's #23 DT, 4 stars) now says Ohio State (12/3 official trip) leads solidly over USC (10/22), Minnesota (12/10), Oklahoma and Penn State (1/8).
"There's about a 50% chance that I'll go to Ohio State at this point," says Ashley.
"I love the coaching staff there. They've told me that if I go there I'll have an opportunity to earn a spot for some playing time as a freshman.
"I also love the players there too. I hit it off well with all of them when I was there for my official visit. It was also good meeting the students there and talking with the academic advisors. My official visit there went great and if I could I'd go there right now I would.
"They are the only school that's recruiting me as a defensive end over a defensive tackle. I'm really into them right now and I like everything about their program.
"USC falls in as my #2 school now. They're national champs right now, and they're going to have another opportunity to do it again for the second year in a row. If I were to go there it would be a great opportunity for me to gain some great experiences.
"My dad played linebacker under coach (Pete) Carroll when he was a coach for the Vikings. So we've got a good family history with him.
"Overall they've got a great program with a very professional coaching staff. I like the way those coaches handle things.
"When I'm done with all of my official visits, that's when I'm going to organize my thoughts on where I've been. As soon as I do that I'll go wherever feels right to me."
Walker says he will also officially visit Oklahoma.
Final SR (10-1) stats: 89 tackles/14 sacks/25 TFL/1 INT-TD/4 FC
2.63 GPA/19 ACT--retake unset