Interview: 2018 ESPN 300 RB Andrew Cunningham Pulling Florida Spotlight His Way

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

For a high school athlete in any sport to be one of the top players in his or her state in any sport is a great accomplishment. Cambridge Christian School (Tampa) running back Andrew Cunningham is not satisfied with being one of the top players in the state of Florida, he wants to be one of the top players in the nation, and is well on his way.

Stats over the last three seasons support Cunningham having earned his stripes in the Sunshine State. Since his freshman season he has torched opposing defenses breaking out with 829 yards rushing off 79 carries with 11 touchdowns. Even with an early start at the varsity level, Cunningham was a big part of the offense hauling in 17 receptions for 409 yards with two more scores. He even got time in on defense.

The 2015 season put the 6-1, 205 pound, athlete on recruiting boards across the nation after rushing for 1,370 off 149 carries with 25 touchdowns. He continued to show his all-purpose back abilities taking in 20 more passes for 222 more yards with six more scores. His role on defense was bumped up at safety ending the year with 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a broken up pass play. As the upward trend continues, the best is yet to come. With stats posted through just eight games this season, Cunningham already has 1,164 yards on the ground toting the rock 101 times finding the end zone 17 times. He has added 11 more receptions to his career stat line covering 166 yards with three more touchdowns. Playing as needed on defense this season, he has 14 tackles, four tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three passes broken up.

Cunningham’s rise as a top athlete in Florida has coincided with the Lancers win-loss record. In 2014 the team went 8-2, and then followed that up with a 12-1 campaign making a run to the state championship game before falling to University Christian. The Lancers are 9-0 this season winning their first round playoff game against Admiral Farragut 38-14. This week the Tampa area squad is loading up for their second round game against Northside Christian (St. Petersburg).

With the Lancers going deeper and deeper into the playoffs, do not be surprised to see more and more college recruiters in the stands or roaming the sidelines. Cunningham has earned a Top 300 ranking in ESPN’s 2018 class and already has over 20 scholarship offers on the table with more expected to come in the upcoming months as college coaches turn their attention off the 2016 season and onto the recruiting trail.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Cunningham ahead of the Lancers second round game to get an overview on his junior season and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Andrew, the Lancers got a big 38-14 win over Admiral Farragut in the opening round of the playoffs, how did the game go for you guys against the Blue Jackets?

“It went very well. As a team we were prepared mentally and physically. Coach (Bob) Dare (head coach) had us ready. I think the score at halftime was 23-14. It was a close game. We executed on both sides of the ball and took control in the second half for the win.”

How did you play?

“I think I played well. I did not get as many touches as normal. I was more the decoy. They were keying on me. All my teammates, like quarterback Jaylin Jackson had a great game. I played on both sides of the ball. I think I did well on defense too. When they needed me to carry the ball I did my job.”

You guys get Northside Christian (St. Petersburg) next, what kind of challenge does that game bring for you and the Lancers?

“It will be a really tough game, and it is at their place. They are well coached and they have a lot of great players. Their quarterback (Griffin) Alstott does a great job. They are a great passing team. They can run the ball too. If we come out fast and execute we can come out with the win.”

Is there a chance the Lancers will face University Christian this year in the playoffs?

“If we go to state, we’ll play them this year.”

Are you privately wanting a rematch after last season?

“Of course. For me, I think about it every day. Losing to them in state, it stuck with me for a while. This year is an opportunity to bounce back and prove ourselves, but we have to earn it.”

How does the team look going into the next round of the playoffs?

“We look really solid. We had one our best wide receivers go down but we have a lot of depth. We have a lot of kids that can step up in different situations. Our defense is solid. I don’t see anyone stopping us as a unit. We have something special.”

Going back to your freshman year, you were a big part of the team’s success. Did you know that you would have that big of a role with the team then?

“Yeah, I kind of knew. I had the confidence needed. Coach told me early on I could have a big impact on the team. I did what I had to do. I played receiver, running back, and I played on defense. I did not know it would come that early on. I took it game by game and had a good outcome.”

How has your game improved over the past three seasons as a running back?

“Overall this season as a running back, I am better at receiving. I hit the weight room hard in the off-season. I am a one-cut and go kind of guy. I think I have improved as an athlete overall. The big difference is extra yards, fighting for extra yards. I’m gaining a lot more yards after first contact.”

For those readers who have never seen you play before, how are you utilized within the offense?

“Our offense is more of a spread. They use me in the screen game, power, inside zone, and somewhat in the Wildcat. I am pretty much a spread running back that can be a receiver. I am someone that can do a lot of different things within the offense. The coaches try to utilize me anyway they can.”

We have talked about how your game has gotten better, but what are the strengths of your game?

“My burst, acceleration, yards after contact, my hands, and my power running. All those things. With my one-cut abilities, if I am one-on- one with a safety, I will make that move and get more yards. I leave a lot of people in the dirt with my speed. I don’t like to go down. I think before every snap I cannot go down.”

What parts of your game are you wanting to work on in the off-season?

“Getting faster, quicker, and overall just being a better athlete. I’m planning on lifting weights, pushing myself to uncomfortableness. I want to work on my strengths to increase my speed and quickness. Even though I am in good shape now, I want to get into even better shape. I want to take it the next level.”

I hope you understand where I am coming from on this next question. You have a unique running style, but it also looks like maybe you are not being challenged out there. In your opinion, are you challenged out there on the field against 2A competition?

“Everyone asks me if I am trying as hard as I can. I am a glider, I run with a smoothness. I don’t try to make it hard on myself. Arian Foster runs like that. As far as the challenge, we play tough teams. A lot of tough teams. I do get challenged out there. There are games where we easily beat teams. I do run hard, but I am a glider.”

Well said. What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“My fastest was at Florida State. I ran a 4.48. FSU’s running back coach, Coach (Jay) Graham (running backs coach) timed it.”

With recruiting, which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Maybe 30 schools. A lot.”

Which schools are among the 30?

“FSU, Clemson, Ohio State, Oregon State, Oregon, Penn State, a lot of schools. Arkansas, Alabama – pretty much everybody.”

Which schools are showing the most interest out of those schools?

“Wisconsin, FSU, Texas Tech, Clemson, and Ohio State.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 21 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered, which ones are showing the most interest?

“Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Rutgers, and N.C. State. They are showing the most interest.”

Have you taken any game day visits this season?

“I have taken two. I went to Florida State for their game against Clemson and I went to USF (South Florida) for their game against Florida State.”

How did your visit to Florida State go?

“I went with Richard Gouraige (4-star 2018 OT – Cambridge Christian). It went really well. I saw the weight room and after the game met the players. We went in the locker room too. Overall it was a great visit. I really liked the environment. Seeing 95,000 people doing the War Chant is pretty crazy.”

Do you have any planned visits for the coming weeks or months?

“I’m not too sure yet. I really do want to see Louisville. That is the only one I am looking into right now. That is not a for sure visit. There are a lot of other schools I’d like to see. That is one I want to look at it and see what it is like.”

The recruiting process is still really early for you, but you have a lot of offers and a lot of interest already. How are you evaluating all the schools showing interest and offering you?

“First is academics. Will they educate me well? The next thing is the campus and then the coaches. Do I get along with them? Is it true what they say about the school and the program when I get there? I don’t want anything sugar coated. I want to wake up and be happy that I am there at that school every day. I want to be there. When I do my overall my Top 10 or Top 5, the main things will be academics, the coaches, and the campus. I want to wake up saying I want to be at that school.”

What is your motivation on the gridiron?

“My motivation is – when I was three or four-years-old my dad passed away. My mom and I, we have two little cousins that live with us that are like little a brother and sister to me. They are my motivation. Every time I play I do it for them. I love football, it has grown on me. I have motivation behind me. I put them and my teammates in my mind. They are my brothers too. I have to represent my school well too. That all goes into perspective. When I play on Friday night, at the end of the game I put a smile on my face after a good win. We have all been through a lot. That is my motivation on the field.”

There were a bunch of great college games on Saturday, which games did you watch?

I watched Michigan vs Iowa. I thought Michigan would win that game. I watched Clemson vs Pitt and I watched Washington vs USC.”

You watched almost all of the upsets. All great games. What stood out to you in the games that you watched?

“They all played tough. Everyone goes out for the bigger – higher ranked team. I like watching upset wins. Everyone thought that Michigan would stomp Iowa. Same with Clemson and Pitt. I love watching those kind of games when the underdog gets the quality win.”

Andrew, thanks for your time today and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: tbo.com; No. 25 Andrew Cunningham breaks free.

Photo credit: Cunningham family; Andrew Cunningham scores a touchdown.

Photo credit: tbo.com; No. 25 Andrew Cunningham tearing up the turf.