Tulane player who suffered fractured spine in stable condition

NEW ORLEANS --  A Louisiana college football player is awake and recovering just days after he he fractured his spine in a game.

Tulane safety Devon Walker hit another player hard at the end of the first half. He is currently in stable condition.

Walker's high school coach said he is more than just a great athlete, but an excellent student as well.

"I just can't imagine that a kid like Devon would have to go through something like this," Stephen Robicheaux said. "A hard worker, an over achiever determined to get a degree from Tulane."

Walker had surgery to stabilize his spine on Sunday.

Doctors say it is too early to tell if he is paralyzed.