tonight events in recruiting...

[camlock]

does anyone else find it humerous that Ole Miss steals a 4 star recruit from LSU and State loses a 4 star recruit to USC all in bout a 1 hour span? I find it down right enlightening and I must say, despite the terrible weather, all seems right in the universe tonight

[Greenhead22]

Wrong...........Ken Ashley is still firm with his commitment to MSU, will sign tomorrow morning more than likely. USC has commitments from 3 of the top 15 rb's in the country, and Ken knows it. The USC offer hasn't been put on paper yet so it's still up in the air.

[camlock]

We'll see buddy.

He won't qualify no matter whether he sign with State, USC, or who gives a rip. So I don't suppose it matters. And I am not being a homo like you and saying that b/c he's a State committment, he really isn't gonna qualify.

[Greenhead22]

Wrong again..........made 21 on his recent ACT and has the grades in all of his core classes, won't need summer school.

[camlock]

Wrong again..........made 21 on his recent ACT and has the grades in all of his core classes, won't need summer school.

we'll see bout that as well

Just like over half of Ole Miss class won't qualify huh?

[Jeff]

That really sucks for us, he looks like a big time ball player to say the least.

[camlock]

ok Biggie fats...I would like for you to read this article from USC reporter this morning and then act high and mighty about Ashley! Like I said, State has lost their prize Cali recruit, if not now, by tomorrow.

Los Angeles (Calif.) Venice four-star running back Kenny Ashley is known for having great vision on the football field, but he could hardly believe his eyes this afternoon.

A day before signing day, the 5-foot-8, 210-pound two-time all-city selection was offered a scholarship by the school he's dreamed about playing for since he was 6-years old.

At least, that's the way it looks. Literally speaking, USC gave Ashley a verbal scholarship offer in text.

"Yeah, they more-or-less gave me a heads up about what they want to do," said Ashley. "I was actually sitting in class and I got a text message from little (Brennan) Carroll. It said they want to offer me a scholarship, but they needed to send the paperwork on Wednesday."

After a stellar week of practice at the CaliFlorida Bowl, topped off with 111- rushing yards on six carries in the game, Ashley expected college coaches to take notice. Of course, expectations and reality often part ways soon after they meet.

"I knew at some point a PAC-10 school was going to come through with a scholarship offer," said Ashley. "I had a really good week at the CaliFlorida Bowl, so I knew some team would come after me.

"I thought SC might come in late like they did because little Carroll and T-Mac had been talking about getting me a ride, but I was a little shocked when they did."

Ashley, who's often compared to former UCLA star tailback Maurice Drew, has been on USC's radar since his freshman year. However, Ashley has been more of a familiar face around the program than a recruit.

"I've had contact with SC since ninth grade, but I didn't feel like they recruited me as a hard as they should have this year," said Ashley.

"Brennan Carroll and Todd McNair had been calling me, but this was sudden. They lose two great backs this year, so I guess they really want to replace them."

Besides playing time, Ashley's familiarity with USC will play a factor in whether the Trojans can persuade him on de-committing from Mississippi State this late in the process.

"It's SC and you can't beat going to SC," said Ashley. "I grew up a USC fan and my family is full of SC fans. I went to their camp in ninth grade and that's the only camp I ever went to because that's where I always wanted to go.

"I want to play close to home, and being a Trojan fan, everything would just work out. Even now, I still see myself playing at the Coliseum."

But without a written offer, Ashley also knows enough not to get ahead of himself.

"I don't want to get myself all pumped up about SC yet," said Ashley. "I'll keep my options open and then go from there.

"I really want to see where I fit in at the school, but I'm not worried about taking an official visit because I've seen USC so many times. I just need to wait and figure out if USC is where I really want to go.

"It would be a blessing if they offered me a scholarship, but I won't ignore any school that takes an interest in me. Any offer of an education will give me an opportunity to better my life and the life of my family."

With that said, Ashley still considers himself committed to the Bulldogs. And while their early offer won't deter Ashley from considering USC, Mississippi State's recruiting efforts throughout the year will not go unnoticed.

"I do feel a lot of loyalty toward Mississippi State, but I don't have a problem with USC coming in late," said Ashley. "That's what they chose to do. Will it affect my decision? I don't know; I have to discuss all of this with my family.

"If SC does come through with a scholarship I'll definitely think about it. If they don't, then I'm going to Mississippi State. Right now I'm still committed to Mississippi State."

USCFootball.com will have more on this late breaking news as it develops.

[Greenhead22]

I said 8 or 9 of the rebs are leaning towards not qualifying, not over half of the 30 or so they'll try to sign to make up for it.

[camlock]

I said 8 or 9 of the rebs are leaning towards not qualifying, not over half of the 30 or so they'll try to sign to make up for it.

if we have 8 or 9 guys not qualify, I'll take you and buy you a steak dinner!

And I am broke, but I know you are just flaming a bunch of BS, so I'll make that proposal!

[Greenhead22]

I said 8 or 9 of the rebs are leaning towards not qualifying, not over half of the 30 or so they'll try to sign to make up for it.

if we have 8 or 9 guys not qualify, I'll take you and buy you a steak dinner!

And I am broke, but I know you are just flaming a bunch of BS, so I'll make that proposal!

One of those $50 steaks at Teco's in Jackson sounds good to me.

[camlock]

I said 8 or 9 of the rebs are leaning towards not qualifying, not over half of the 30 or so they'll try to sign to make up for it.

if we have 8 or 9 guys not qualify, I'll take you and buy you a steak dinner!

And I am broke, but I know you are just flaming a bunch of BS, so I'll make that proposal!

One of those $50 steaks at Teco's in Jackson sounds good to me.

SURE...I won't start saving

[Greenhead22]

OK, here's the real story, an interview with Ken after that USC interview.

Rob Haralson
BulldogBlitz.com Recruiting Analyst

One of the Bulldogs' most solid positions in the recruiting class of 2006 going into signing day was running back, with three of the top 36 players in the nation committed. While all were firm going into Monday, one got an offer that would make anyone in the country reconsider options. Hometown USC offered Kenny Ashley after a stellar showing in the CaliFlorida Bowl. Is a change of plans in order?


Rivals.com

Will Ashley sign with the Trojans on Wednesday?
"Yeah, I got one, but it's no biggie," he commented. "Nothing to fuss about.

"Right now SC wants me to come, but I am not going to make a big fuss about it. Any scholarship is a blessing and I am going to stay committed to Mississippi State until I say otherwise. I am about to sign with them, but I am not about to say forget SC and dodododo. It is a privilege for schools to even look at me so I am not about to just not look at them.

"Other than that, I don't know. I promise. Right now my mind is on Mississippi State and going down there to be a Bulldog, but I don't know about being a Trojan. I don't know about that. That means I am going to have to do another long process about thinking about it. I am getting confused and I don't know what's really going on.

"I just have to tell you I am going to discuss it with my family and see what's really best for me and right now. What is really best for me is going to Mississippi State. I am really going to think about what I really want to do with my mom and see what my family has to say. Right now it is just really confusing."

While things started off as a confusing issue, things suddenly cleared up.

"I know what I am going to do," he added in a rejuvenated state. "I have a clue about what I am going to do. I am a hundred percent sure what I am going to do, but I am not going to sit here and tell you for sure what I am about to do. That wouldn't be fair to anybody else. I am just going to keep everybody guessing until Wednesday.

"I am signing on Wednesday. I am not waiting. It is time to get it all over with, so they can forget about me. They can start working on some of those juniors."

So is there a set time for his signing?

"Signing day, I don't know. I don't know what time I am going to sign. I just want my family around. Most likely I will sign sometime around five or six. If not that if Jonas Mouton goes to Fox, he may take me with him there, but my plans are to sign around five o'clock at the house with my family, but really I can't tell you. That is the time I would like to do it. I may do it in the morning right when I wake up."

Any hints?

If I give you a hint, I would have to give the next person that calls a hint and that wouldn't be fair," he said with a laugh. "If you put it on your website, they will be mad because they can't put it on theirs."

How much of an impact will teammate Jonas Mouton's decision play on Ashley's?

"Jonas do what he do and I do what I do," he said. "He's got a clue where he's going and I got a clue where I am going. I know where I'm going, and I am not saying. I am just under some pressure right now, under a little microscope, and I am trying to work out some things and get myself psyched up, and ready for football next fall."

Where will he sign?

Go inside The Recruiting Corner to see more details unleashed in Ashley's interview.

Ken did give him the hint, which isn't posted on the website............that he will sign with MSU tomorrow.

[mshunter77]

i thought USC was recruiting ashley to play DB not RB. also what i heard was that he said he did not know what he was going to do that he would wake up wed. morning look at the two papers and sign which ever one felt right.

[camlock]

This wasn't after the USC intereview, the USC one was actually published AFTER the State one....AND he is going to wait till tomorrow and see if he gets a USC official offer...if not he'll sign with State....wait and see...Don't matter, he won't qualify, which is the only reason he is a State committment anyhow, cause nobody else would offer him!

Also, I have to say, the boy really supports your statements about his grades with that fantastic grammar!

[mshunter77]

heard a rumor that keiland williams is going to decommit from lsu and sign with ole miss, if this is true i wonder what is going on in baton rouge they already have lost 2 good recruits in the past day or so, one to ole miss and one to arkansas