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Vanderbilt gets late addition to 2009 class

Vanderbilt had a great National Signing Day for the class of 2009, landing 12 three-stars among the 17 players that signed. Over two months later, the coaching staff has added yet another three-star to the mix. Flower Mound, Texas athlete Collin Ashley didn't sign anywhere in February but some recent communication with Vanderbilt has resulted in Ashley heading to Nashville.
"They had one scholarship left and they called me about two weeks ago letting me know that they wanted me to come down and see the place," Ashley said. "They offered me over the phone so I went down there and checked it out.
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"The visit went real good. It was fun and I liked the football facilities and the campus. They sent me the letter of intent this week and I signed."
Ashley had received serious interest from numerous division I programs over the course of his recruitment but as Signing Day approached, he didn't have the options that he had hoped for and had made a decision to walk-on before the Vanderbilt opportunity came up.
"I had a bunch of I-AA schools interested and really that's not what I wanted to do," he said. "I really wanted to play in the Big 12 or the SEC and I didn't get any of that so my plan was until about a week ago to walk on at Arkansas. Then Vanderbilt contacted me and I went from there."
For his high school program, Ashley excelled both at cornerback, wide receiver and as a kick returner. The Vanderbilt coaching staff likes him best on the offensive side of the ball.
"They want me to come in as a receiver," he said. "I think I'm pretty good at both sides of the ball and I love playing both sides but I think I excel more at receiver."
With the final decision made, Ashley is relieved and excited about his future.
"I'm definitely really excited about it," he said. "There's a lot of stress lifted off my shoulders so I don't even have to think about it anymore. I'm just glad it's over with and in the books. I'm going to try to head down there the beginning of June after I graduate and get started learning the offense and doing the workouts and everything."
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