After the Long Road, Ashton Kershner Finds His Fit at Boise State
Ashton Kershner didn’t take the easy route to the blue turf. His journey to Boise State was anything but conventional - a winding path marked by tough decisions, long days, and a belief in himself that never wavered. Now, at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, the offensive tackle is ready to bring his grit and grind to a program that values exactly that.
Kershner’s story starts with a leap of faith. After initially signing with UT Martin out of high school, he made the bold choice to reset his career at the junior college level, enrolling at San Jose City College. That move came with no guarantees and plenty of raised eyebrows.
“It was honestly a risk that I took - just really betting on myself,” Kershner said. “A lot of people told me I shouldn't do it.”
His parents were concerned. With his mom in San Diego and his dad in Tennessee, they worried about him stepping out on his own. But for Kershner, it was time to grow up - time to take control of his future.
That transition wasn’t smooth. Far from it.
Without a car, Kershner relied on public transportation to get to and from school and practice. We’re talking buses, trains, and long walks - sometimes up to a mile after a grueling day on the field.
“My first couple months were rough,” he said. “I had to take the bus and train because I didn't really have a ride. I'd walk about half a mile to the train, take it for 30 minutes to an hour, then walk another mile to school after practice every day.”
Those quiet walks - sore legs and all - became moments of reflection and motivation.
“It kind of sucked, especially when I was sore after hard days,” Kershner admitted. “But it gave me time to think - personal time. Honestly, it just made me push harder and harder.”
And that persistence? It paid off.
When Boise State came calling, Kershner finally saw the reward for his gamble. A few weeks ago, the Broncos’ staff found his film while recruiting in the Bay Area. The interest came fast and strong.
“They liked my film a lot,” he said. “They got me on the phone, talked to me for a bit, and that was mainly it.”
The visit to Boise sealed the deal. From the moment he crossed the mountains into town, something clicked.
“I came in open-minded,” Kershner said. “But once we got over the mountains - that was crazy. I never thought I'd appreciate something like that.”
He had some preconceived notions about Boise - namely, that it was all potato fields. But what he found was a vibrant city with a big-time football atmosphere.
“Boise is a lot bigger than I thought,” he said. “Everywhere I went, fans were coming up to me, asking questions, encouraging me to come here.
Everyone really cares about Boise State football. The support system is real.”
Inside the football complex, that passion was matched by professionalism. Kershner came away impressed with the facilities, the staff, and the attention to detail.
“The facilities were amazing,” he said. “The staff was on point with everything - from their manners to how they had everything set up with presentations.
The weight room is nice, the strength staff is amazing, and it was really surprising to see the amount of amenities they have, including the nutrition bar and the nutritionist. They do blood tests to see what you're missing and really focus on making you a better athlete.”
He also got a sneak peek at Boise State’s North End Zone expansion, including a new athlete café with a private chef - another small but meaningful sign of the program’s commitment to player development.
But what really sold Kershner wasn’t the bells and whistles - it was the people.
“Coach Keane is a really good guy,” he said. “I felt genuine energy from him.
I've been on visits before, so I know fake energy when I see it. With him, it was real.”
That authenticity showed up in the film room, too.
“He went over my bad plays,” Kershner said. “That's never happened to me before.
We were sitting there talking about stuff I messed up on a year or two ago. That made me think of him differently - like, wow, he actually cares.”
He also connected with general manager Brandon Jones - both of them having Tennessee roots - and left his meeting with head coach Spencer Danielson fired up.
“Coach Danielson fired me up,” Kershner said. “He told me they want guys who want to be here - guys ready to work. That really stuck with me.”
Though he didn’t commit on the spot, the decision came quickly.
“After dinner, I just felt like I belonged here,” he said. “I liked the conversations we were having.
I see what they're building. I'd be dumb to let an opportunity like this pass.”
Kershner is expected to compete at tackle, with the flexibility to play on either side of the line - or even slide inside if needed. He brings two years of eligibility and a potential JUCO waiver year, and plans to move to Boise this summer after graduating in May.
As for what Boise State is getting?
“Y’all are getting a hard worker,” Kershner said. “A kid who wants to work, who's not going to cause trouble - just a great football player and a great person.”
And he’s fired up to join a program that puts its offensive line front and center.
“Boise State is one of the few programs where the offensive line is glorified,” he said. “They take pride in it.
They run behind their big boys and let the big boys work. I love that.”
After betting on himself and grinding through the tough days, Ashton Kershner is finally where he wants to be - with a shot at the FBS level, and a program that sees him for who he is: a worker, a believer, and a lineman ready to make an impact.