Ka’Ron Ashley

Wide Receiver / West Florida

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I am 6’3, 170 and my 40 time was a 4.55 in the beginning of spring.  I have gained some muscle.  I was 160 or 165 during the season.      

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  There is a gym 10 minutes up the road from me in Pace, Florida.  It is an all sports training facility.  It is called the Clubhouse.     

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I played basketball.  It was my first love.  I also ran track for one year.    

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I played a little bit of QB and safety.  But main position was receiver. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  It is an interesting story.  I wasn’t highly recruited.  I had to get better grades on the ACT.  I had Navy, Air Force, Tusculum, and a couple of D-III offers.  North Dakota State showed some interest.  My first actual offer was from Tusculum.    

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up West Florida? 

Ka’Ron Ashley:  They came in at the last second.  It was my last visit.  I came out the week before signing day.  I wanted to sign on signing day.  The whole culture and the vibe of the coaching staff.  There were no facilities at the time.  Now we have a top-notch weight room and a downtown stadium.  I saw the potential to be what we are now.  They sold me on a dream.  We started at the bottom, but the program rose to the top. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?        

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Two national championship appearances in four years.  I want another ring.  The goal is to win another championship my senior year.  We want to go down in the history books.  I am actually three TD’s away from breaking the TD record.  The record at the school is 15 career TD’s, and I have 12 TD’s right now.  I should break it.  I am happy where I am at.  I plan to graduate in the fall.      

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like winning the National Championship in 2019?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I feel like we could have won in 2017, 2018 and 2019.  In 2018, we had our best team, but we couldn’t jell together and make a playoff run.  In 2017, we went to the national championship and lost.  It was tough and demanding this past year.  But I knew that we would get it done.  We had great chemistry between us.  We lost two games in 2019.  We held a meeting, which was led by our two senior receivers, Kevin Grant and Quentin Randolph.  They told us, let’s win it this year.  We went out there and fought together.  We had that brotherhood, which led us to the championship.      

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from the Argonauts this upcoming season? 

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Rodney Coates and I are the leaders this year.  We will hold those meetings.  This is my fifth year in the program.  Expect nothing, but greatness.  We will shock a lot of people.  We recruit very well.  The culture at UWF is good.  We are passing down the knowledge and information to each other.  Our practices are detailed.  We want an undefeated season, win the conference and win a championship.  Valdosta State is our biggest rivalry. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I have great leadership.  I am that team leader and mentor this year.  Physically, it is my speed, jumping ability, separation and my feet are golden.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Definitely trying to finish at the catch point better.  There is always room for improvement when it comes to blocking.  Being more patient on the fade ball in the red zone.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Personally, it is the national championship.  It would feel so much better if we can get it my senior year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Have a positive culture.  Our coaching staff has control. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  DeAndre Hopkins and Tyreek Hill right now.  Hill has the speed.  Hopkins has great hands.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Definitely, QB Austin Reed will have a dominant season.  D’Anthony Bell is a safety.  Middle LB Ricky Richardson is a special teams’ assassin.  WR Rodney Coates should have a big year.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  QB Rogan Wells from Valdosta State.  He doesn’t seem to make mistakes.  He is pretty smart.  He capitalizes on everything.  He doesn’t get sacked, and his speed is deceptive.  He is an all-around package.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Discipline, catching, running routes and blocking. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  The joy I get out of it.  Seeing people’s faces after we win.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I like to play video games and shoot pool.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  I am a communications major and I plan to graduate in December.  I want to get into broadcast journalism.  I want to speak with people and in front of the camera.     

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Ka’Ron Ashley:  Humble, learner, competitive, genuine, and hard worker.