Interview: Offers and Interest Continue to Roll in for 2018 ESPN 300 RB Andrew Cunningham

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

As the old football expression goes, speed kills and every year out of the high school ranks the state of Florida ‘kills it’ on the recruiting trail at the skill positions. The 2018 class is no different, especially at running back with the likes of Lorenzo Lingard (Miami), TJ Pledger (Oklahoma), James Cook (Florida State), Brian Snead (Ohio State), Camron Davis (Miami), and Andrew Cunningham chopping up defenses up and down the Sunshine State. Recruiting interest for all mentioned Florida running backs is at an all-time high but the recruitment of Cambridge Christian’s uncommitted tailback is shifting into overdrive with schools scrambling to land that program changer ahead of National Signing Day.

Cunningham worked his way into being an ESPN 300 top Class of 2018 recruit after three years of filling up the stat sheet for his Tampa area school. His freshman season was the preview of coming attractions with 829 yards on the ground with 11 scores and 17 receptions covering 409 yards with two more touchdowns. The separation from the back came in 2015 rushing for 1,370 yards in stats posted through 13 games with 25 touchdowns and 222 more yards in the passing game off 20 receptions with six more trips across the goal line. The time in on the field helped carry the Lancers to a championship game appearance.

During the 2016 season, the now 6-1, 220 pound, talent sliced opposing defenses for 145.5 yards per game adding 1,164 more rushing yards to his resume with 17 touchdowns and 11 more passes pulled in for 166 yards with three more scores in stats through eight games. By mid-November, 21 Division-I programs had offered. Some of the schools to offer includes Louisville, South Florida, N.C. State, East Carolina, Kansas, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee, State, Southern Miss, Texas-San Antonio, Florida International, Rutgers, Maryland, Cincinnati, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The push for Cunningham continues with his offer total now up to 40 schools. As long as Cunningham stays uncommitted, that offer sheet will continue to grow especially with teams like LSU, Florida, Georgia, UCLA, Michigan State, USC, North Carolina, and Michigan showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized Q&A interview, I caught up with one of the more highly recruited players in the 2018 class covering Cunningham’s off-season workouts and recruitment to date.

Interview

Andrew, how are your off-season workouts going?

“My off-season workouts are going crazy. I’m working with a personal trainer at Athlete Retreat. I’ve been working with him for about three to four months now, six days a week. We are lifting and doing footwork and mobility drills. I’ve gained a few pounds of muscle. It has been an intense few months in the gym. Adding on my other weight program with the school, I have been getting after it. My body fat has gone down a pretty good bit.”

What areas of your athleticism are you seeing improvement?

“I’d say my overall speed has gone up and my strength and my endurance has improved a lot. My endurance has really improved. I feel like a better athlete overall.”

Have you gone to any exposure camps this spring?

“No.”

When we last spoke your best 40-yard dash time was a 4.48, have you had a chance to improve upon that this spring?

“I haven’t ran a 40 this spring. The 4.48 is still my best 40 time.”

You mentioned your strength increasing this spring, have you maxed out in the weight room yet?

“I have not maxed out but I know my maxes have gone up. My bench is around 315 to 320, my squat is around 405, and my clean is around 250.”

Nice. Onto recruiting. How many offers do you have now?

“Forty.”

Wow. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“A lot of schools are showing interest including some of the in-state schools. LSU, Clemson, Florida State, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Miami, UCLA, USC, Michigan State, and Michigan are all showing interest. I could get a lot more offers this spring or summer.”

Of the schools that have offered, are there any either pushing a little harder than the rest or staying in more frequent contact with you trying to build that bond towards a commitment?

“Yeah, there are a few schools pushing. Indiana, Utah, Kentucky, Purdue, and Syracuse are the main ones of schools that have offered.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this spring to see some of the programs showing interest or extending offers?

“No. I plan on taking some this summer. I have to talk to my coach about which schools to visit.”

Do you have an idea which ones you might visit this summer?

“I have an idea. I’d like to visit the ones pushing hard but that could change during the spring. If a new school offers and pushes hard that could change everything. The schools pushing hard I want to visit.”

How are things going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.12 cumulative GPA.”

Have you received a score on any of the standardized tests?

“I got a 1020 on the SAT.”

Are you playing any spring sports or playing with any 7v7 teams?

“No. I’m just lifting and working with my personal trainer.”

Last couple of questions. Have you privately started narrowing down or weeding out some of the schools showing interest or that have offered?

“Somewhat. I have an idea about the different schools I want to visit, but I have not come out with anything yet as far a top school list.”

Have you started thinking about a commit date?

“Maybe on signing day or before that. You never know.”

When we last spoke, in summation, you said the most important things to you about any school that would land in your Top 10 are the academics, campus life, and the coaching staff. As you have gone deeper into the recruiting process has your view changed at all? Have you added more influential factors to your list?

“The factors are all the same – the environment of the school, the academics, the coaching staff, and the fit in the system. Pretty much the basics. Pretty much the same as before.”

Andrew, thanks for your time today.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times; No. 25 Andrew Cunningham breaks a long run (2016).

Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times; No. 25 Andrew Cunningham all business (2016).