Cedric Ashe uses tackling skills off the field

ALBANY — Albany State senior defensive back Cedric Ashe knows all about defense.

Last season, he played in all 10 games, recorded 22 solo tackles, one interception and one pass break-up. The numbers were an improvement from the 14 solo tackles he recorded as a sophomore. Ultimately, the computer science major hopes to tackle a problem he feels is plaguing our nation with the same intensity he has his opponents.

“Cyber hacking. It’s in the news every day, something new, somebody’s getting hacked…I want to help defend against that,” he said.

When Ashe wasn’t getting after quarterbacks on the field, he was getting after his studies off of it. The Columbus, Ga. native managed to obtain a 3.42 grade-point average, the highest on the team.

The Albany State defense has been the focal point of the season as they continue to anchor the team midway through the season. As the defense continues to showcase a bevy of phenomenal athletes as well as gifted skill players, Ashe continues to prove there are scholars on the field as well.

Ashe said football takes up most of his day, but he developed skills necessary to manage way before he set foot on Albany State’s campus.

“Time management I learned early,” he said. “My parents pushed me early on from elementary on up. I’ve always played sports and I’ve always had good grades, [college] is just a continuation.”

Ashe said he’s always had a strong interest in both technology and math, and computer science allows him to explore both. He credits ASU’s staff for not just teaching the subject matter but also giving him hands-on experience and job skills to help network and acquire internships.

This past summer he used all of those skills as he interned for the Department of Defense under the United States Air Force.

“It was very interesting. I learned a lot about what the government does, getting a better vision of what the Air Force does, their whole mission to support the people overseas fighting on the ground and in the air every day.” he said.

As he explores different aspects of computer science, he still ultimately hopes to defend the country through cyber security.

As unrelated as they may seem, Ashe said he’s learned several lessons through football that have helped him achieve success within his major.

“Football teaches me discipline in every aspect of life,” he said. “It helps me stay grounded knowing that I have a lot of work to do. Just like on the football field, we might have to run extra, and with that extra push, I’m able to withstand it so that’s what helps me.”