Passion for Cybersecurity Shapes CJ Donaldson’s View of Football
Hackers, beware—the person watching you is CJ Donaldson, and he’s aiming to be ready for more than just the gridiron. In time, he plans to pursue cybersecurity after his football days are over.
At NFL Scouting Combine interviews, fans hear about off-field interests that set athletes apart. Donaldson’s standout passion is cybersecurity, and his goal is to return to school for a master’s degree so he can pursue it as a post-football career.
“In high school, I was building games and exploring cybersecurity,” Donaldson shared on Friday. “But college football’s demanding schedule made it tough to finish that work in undergrad. When I get the chance, I’ll go back for my master’s in cybersecurity.”
As he trains this offseason to land a spot in the NFL—either as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent—Donaldson emphasizes his well-roundedness as a player, a trait mirrored by his broad tech skills.
“I’m a Swiss Army knife,” he explained. “I can do whatever you need. I started as a receiver in high school, shifted to running back in college, and I can contribute on all four core special teams. If the team needs me to do something, I’ll do it.”
Donaldson’s interest in cybersecurity is, as he calls it, a “funny story.” Before moving to Gulliver Prep (where he finished high school in West Virginia), he enrolled in a computer coding class. He initially wasn’t interested in continuing that course at Gulliver. By the time he began college at West Virginia University, his perspective had changed.
“I kept begging my mom to pull me out of the program because it was hard,” Donaldson recalls. “She said, ‘Stick with it—you might discover your passion.’ When I left the program to start college, I felt unsettled. It didn’t feel right not being in it. That’s when I realized it was my heart. I definitely love it.”
In high school, Donaldson was viewed as a tight end, but he earned a major role as a running back during his freshman year at West Virginia, recording 526 yards on 87 carries. He totaled 1,532 rushing yards over his sophomore and junior seasons at WVU, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and scoring 11 rushing touchdowns in each year.
For his senior year, he transferred to Ohio State, serving as the short-yardage and power back. He logged 96 carries for 361 yards (3.8 YPC) and 10 rushing touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 96 yards and another score.
“That program felt as close to the NFL as you can get,” Donaldson said of the Buckeyes. “The alumni network and the resources there have prepared me for this moment.”
Daily practice against top-tier defense prepared him for the league. Ohio State led the nation in scoring and total defense in 2025, and facing projected first-rounders like Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, and Kayden McDonald offered constant challenges.
“It was tough, honestly,” he admitted. “But it made me better every day. Seeing that kind of defense is something I experienced in practice every day, and I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
Donaldson’s analytical mind aligns with his football instincts. He describes himself as a numbers person who thrives on math. In cybersecurity, he explains, success depends on precise details—every symbol and space matters. In football, the game also revolves around numbers and strategy, 11 players on the field and a complex playbook. He tends to view the sport through the same lens.
While not widely projected to be drafted in 2026, Donaldson is promoting his versatility as a key asset for teams willing to take a chance. He developed into an effective pass-protecting back for the Buckeyes in 2025 and believes his receiving skills remain underrated.
“I think some people overlook that I can still play receiver,” he noted. “I started as a dynamic receiver in high school, and I have sure hands. I can run every route. Call me a Swiss Army knife—the team’s needs are what I aim to meet.”
Whether or not he lands a lengthy NFL career, Donaldson’s off-field versatility will serve him well once his playing days end. His dual interest in football and cybersecurity positions him to contribute in multiple ways, both on the field and in the tech world beyond it.
