First offer in for Louisiana D-lineman

Year after year, River Ridge (La.) John Curtis is consistently good for a handful of major college prospects and in the class of 2010, one of those prospects is defensive lineman Walker Ashburn. Ashburn helped lead his team to a Class 2A Louisiana State Championship in 2008 and now he has his first offer – or at least the first offer he knows about.

"I picked up my first offer from Nebraska," Ashburn said on Monday. "I called them up and talked to Coach Pelini and my dad talked to Coach Pelini for a good while. It's good to get that one under my belt so that I don't have to worry about it anymore. That's a big school and I never thought a school that big would offer."

Ashburn has some familiarity with the Nebraska program. Not only is former teammate P.J. Smith a current member of the Cornhusker roster but Head Coach Bo Pelini has some Louisiana roots as former defensive coordinator at LSU.

"I could see myself going there," Ashburn said of Nebraska. "Especially with Coach Pelini. Coach Pelini was down there at LSU so I was familiar with him. We have a guy from Curtis up there and I talk to him and he says it's not as bad as people say. He says it's not just cornfields. It's actually close to the city."

Along with Nebraska, Ashburn is receiving serious interest from Virginia, a school that may be next with an offer.

"I talked to Virginia and they said they were pretty much going to offer," he said. "They like my film but they just have to show the head coach. If he likes it they will offer me. I'm also hearing from Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi State."

Another program that Ashburn has a strong connection to is the University of Tennessee. He has been in heavy communication with Tennessee recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.

"Bryce Brown committed to Tennessee so that was a big one," he said. "I know Coach Orgeron and Coach Kiffin are real excited. I talk to Coach Orgeron every week. My dad works for the Saints so I know him from there and he likes me and is trying to tell their staff about me. They said I'm on their board. They said I'm number two on their board. I'm also number two on LSU's board."

Currently, Ashburn is working out with track but is considering attending some college camps in the summer.