Passion for Cybersecurity Shapes CJ Donaldson’s Look at Football
Hackers beware: CJ Donaldson is watching—and one day, he might be watching from the other side of the field. His goal isn’t just to play football; he envisions a future in cybersecurity once his playing days are over.
During NFL Scouting Combine interviews, many hopefuls reveal off-field interests. Donaldson stands out with a clear plan: he intends to return to school for a master’s in cybersecurity and pursue it as his next career after football.
“In high school, I was building games and dabbling in cybersecurity,” Donaldson explained on Friday. “But college football schedules are so demanding that completing that undergrad focus was tough. When the opportunity arises, I’ll pursue my master’s and dive deeper into cybersecurity.”
As he maps out an offseason to secure a spot on an NFL roster—whether as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent—Donaldson highlights his well-roundedness, a trait reflected in his broad computer skills.
“I’m a Swiss Army knife,” he said. “I can do whatever the team needs. I started as a receiver in high school, switched to running back in college, and I can cover all four core special teams roles. I’m ready to contribute wherever I’m needed.”
Donaldson calls his cybersecurity passion a funny journey. Before transferring to Gulliver Prep—where he finished high school in West Virginia—he was enrolled in a computer coding class. He initially didn’t want to continue the course at Gulliver, but his perspective changed after deciding to pursue college football at West Virginia University.
“I begged my mom to pull me out because the program felt so hard,” he recalled. “She said, ‘Stick with it—you might discover your love and passion for it.’ When I left the program to start college, I felt off, almost sick. That told me my heart was in it, and I realized I truly loved it.”
As a high school prospect, Donaldson was considered a tight end, but he earned a primary role as a running back for the Mountaineers as a freshman, gaining 526 yards on 87 carries. He totaled 1,532 rushing yards across his sophomore and junior years at West Virginia, averaging 4.6 yards per carry with 11 rushing touchdowns in each season.
He transferred to Ohio State for his final season, serving as the short-yardage and power back. He ran 96 times for 361 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns, plus 15 receptions for 96 yards and a score.
“That Ohio State program is as close to the NFL as it gets,” Donaldson said. “The alumni network and resources helped prepare me for where I am now.”
Daily practice against elite defenses helped him gear up for the pros. Ohio State finished 2025 as No. 1 in scoring defense and total defense. Going up against projected first-rounders like Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, and Kayden McDonald every rep was demanding.
“It was tough,” he admitted. “But it made me better every day. I faced that defense so often that I can honestly say I see it in practice as the toughest defense I’ll ever face. I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
Donaldson’s analytical mindset blends cybersecurity with football. He’s a “numbers guy” who has always excelled at math. In cybersecurity, the focus is on numbers, coding, and attention to the smallest details—like a single misplaced space that can break a program. In football, the game is also a numbers-driven sport: 11 players on the field, Xs and Os, lots of numbers to consider. He finds common ground between the two disciplines.
Even if most mock drafts don’t project him to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Donaldson leans on his versatility as his strongest asset. He emerged as a capable pass-protecting back for Ohio State in 2025 and believes he has underrated receiving skills.
“I think a lot of people overlook that I can still play receiver,” he said. “I was a dynamic receiver in high school with reliable hands. I can run every route in the tree. Like I said, I’m a Swiss Army knife—whatever the team needs, I can do.”
Whether he lands a long NFL career or not, Donaldson plans to leverage his versatility off the field as a lasting foundation for his life after football.
Would you bet on a player who treats cybersecurity as seriously as the sport itself—and see that dual focus as a blueprint for a broader, longer-lasting career?
