USU football: Ashford III talks about decision to sign with Aggies

The last time the Aggies added a transfer from the Big Ten Conference, it worked out very well for them. Al Ashford III is hopeful he can enjoy a similar level of success while playing football for Utah State. The former Wisconsin cornerback verbally committed to the Aggies in May, has since signed with the Logan-based program and is currently on campus working out with the team. USU landed Brian Cobbs from the transfer portal a year ago and the former Maryland wide receiver caught 76 passes for 923 yards and five touchdowns on his way to garnering second-team all-Mountain West honors. Cobbs then signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals, which certainly caught the attention of Ashford. “I actually connected with Brian Cobbs, who was a Big Ten transfer just like me and is currently a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals,” Ashford said in an interview with The Herald Journal. “He told me how (Utah State) was truly a second opportunity to play some great ball and to get an opportunity at the NFL.” Ashford spent two seasons at Wisconsin, where in redshirted in 2021 and played in four games on special teams the following fall before suffering a season-ending hip injury. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder asserted “I’m back to 100 percent.” The former 3-star recruit learned a lot during his time in Madison, namely “how to play in a big environment, how to be a great teammate and what it takes to win.” The former Cherry Creek (Colorado) High School star was also considering transferring to San Diego State and South Florida before ultimately deciding on Utah State. What, besides Cobbs’ endorsement, gave the Aggies the edge? “The winning history and the fact that the coaches want to be very successful here in all aspects of life,” said Ashford, who has three years of eligibility remaining. “They want the guys to be the best we can be and prepare ourselves for the NFL or any job after football.” Ashford will bring a winning mentality to a Aggies as, not only did he play for a good Power 5 Conference program, but enjoyed a lot of success in high school. For starters, the Cherry Creek Bruins captured back-to-back state championships in football during Ashford’s final two seasons, plus excelled in basketball when he was there. In addition to playing football and basketball, Ashford competed in track & field for the Bruins, plus “also won tournaments in mixed martial arts” outside of high school athletics. Ashford, who contributed with 59 tackles, 23 pass breakups, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles for the Bruins, also ranks in the top 20 in school history in four track & field events — the 200 meters and 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays — according to records tabulated on athletic.net. What about football appealed to the well-rounded athlete over the other sports? “Football appealed to me because it was a game where all of the attributes that make me a great athlete could be showcased at once,” said Ashford, who held scholarship offers from a handful of Pac 12 and Mountain West conference programs while in high school. Indeed, Ashford is confident in his abilities on the gridiron and is hungry to make an impact at USU. “I believe I can shut down any number one receiver,” Ashford said when asked about his biggest strengths as a player. “I also am going to be my teammates’ biggest fan and try also ... to contribute in (defending) the run game.” Ashford is the second cornerback the Aggies have recently signed from transfer portal, joining former Colorado player Simeon Harris. Like Ashford, Harris has three years of eligibility remaining. Harris was an impact performer as a true freshman for the Buffaloes last fall as he played more than 300 snaps at safety, nickel and on special teams. The 6-0, 175-pounder finished his lone season in Boulder with 21 tackles, including 15 of the solo variety.