Minnesota defensive end/defensive tackle Walker Ashley (6-5, 285, 4.85, Scout.com's #18 DT) now says USC (10/23 official trip) leads Penn State (1/14), Ohio State (12/3), Minnesota (12/10, mom's pref) and Oklahoma.
"USC leads over the other schools in my top five right now," says Ashley, from Eden Prarie. "I'd say there is a 50% chance I'll go there. Even though it's far away, location is not a problem. I come from a small town, but there's a lot to do in California.
"Their tight end, Dominique Bryd, is the cousin of my best friend, Noah Sims. Dominique says that if I went there I would be homesick for awhile but that the coaches were good at helping players with that.
"And they just won the national championship. I had some second thoughts on them earlier, but seeing them on national television brought them back for me. Right now though, I'm not committed and I haven't been committed. I have told their coaches that if Signing Day were today, that I would sign with them. I see a great opportunity there. They are losing two great defensive linemen.
"They told me that their defensive line coach (Ed Orgeron) would probably take an offer to coach Mississippi if he was offered. At first, I was kind of upset about it when he left. But I don't feel that way now. They told me they know who the want to be their defensive line coach. He's from the NFL.
"My trip to Penn State this past weekend went good. I had a great time with the players and the coaches. They're my number two school right now and I'd say there's a 25% chance I'll go there.
"My host was Tamba Hali (defensive tackle). He took me around the campus and introduced me to some people, and we went to some parties. I enjoyed it.
"The highlight of the trip was being at the basketball game and having everyone there chanting my name. A negative to walk away from this experience was that it was snowing. I mean I expected to get away from it, but there was snow there.
"I like Penn State's program also because my dad went there and he played middle linebacker. That's where my dad would like me to go. That will be a medium factor for me. But he knows the decision is mine to make.
"It's a school that has some great history and tradition. They've also got a great recruiting class this year and I'd like to be a part of that. I just really like it. My visit there went great and made me think.
"I'm still thinking about taking a trip to Oklahoma. They want me to let them know by Wednesday if I'm going so I only have a couple of days. I just don't know if I'm going to. I'm feeling kind of worn out by recruiting right now.
"I won't announce where I'm going until Signing Day. I want to use all of my time so that I can make the right decision."
Final SR (10-1) stats: 89 tackles/14 sacks/25 TFL/1 INT-TD/4 FC
2.63/19 ACT--Feb retest