Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1507572
5 8 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M than some others. You have juniors and seniors still receiving offers, and most of my offers came from all the visits and camps that I went to early on. I'm pretty familiar with the process. It's all been a blessing, but everything has to come to an end, and I'm just ready for the next chapter of my life, where I can get down to business, get ready to work and just have a stable environment. BWI: When did you get your first of- fer? CUNNINGHAM: I had just played in the Georgia Elite Classic. It was televised statewide. It was a Georgia all-star game after my first-ever season of football … and I received my first offer from the University of Georgia. It was a domino effect at that point. BWI: Your top three was Penn State, Texas A&M and Miami. What put Penn State over the top? CUNNINGHAM: Just the people. I've been getting recruited by Coach Franklin and their staff, [director of player personnel] Kenny Sanders. I've been talking to these guys since pretty much my freshman year. They've been there from the jump, and they've stayed consistent with everything. They were very persistent and made sure that I knew how im- portant I was to them, how much they believed in me and my ability. Even with some recent drop-offs, with ev- erything with the CIF, dealing with injuries and things like that, they saw past it and saw me through all of that stuff. I really just see Penn State as a genuine program that likes me as more than a football player. BWI: You went to California for your junior year and had some hiccups there. You weren't deemed eligible until late in the season, and while you've said it was frustrating, Penn State's staff was one that kept in touch. Is that something that left a lasting impression? CUNNINGHAM: Just being honest, that would be tough on any kid, espe- cially when you love the game that you're playing. But I feel like there were a lot of misconceptions, which also made it worse for me — that whole situation with peoples' misconceptions of me or the real reason why I was out there and stuff like that. There were a lot of misconcep- tions about that. Penn State was always a school that was there to support me. When I just needed to talk to somebody because I was feeling down about not being able to play or whatever it was, they were always there. I could definitely sense how gen- uine they were throughout that whole process. It definitely played a role in my decision. BWI: Would you like to clear up those misconceptions? CUNNINGHAM: Actually, yes. I ap- preciate that. I appreciate you giving me that voice, because I feel like there's a big misconception that I'm not a team player or I'm not coachable or things like that. I know how it looks on paper — four different high schools. I'm not blaming anybody for their perception, but I want people to realize that's just their percep- tion. I'm a team player. I take coaching very well. Really, I just try to do whatever I can do to put my guys in the best posi- tion possible. I feel like I've displayed that a lot. Even with the hardship of last season, not being able to play, I feel like God gave me the opportunity to really work on the different aspects of being a good foot- ball player and being a teammate rather than just making plays on the field. I've learned a lot in that sense. BWI: You came to State College in June for your official visit. Did you come out of that trip knowing that Penn State was going to be the choice? CUNNINGHAM: Obviously, it made the predictions and the crystal balls a lot easier for people to do because I only took one official. … At first, I was going to take other visits, but then I told myself that if this is what feels right, let me just give it a week or two. I wasn't really talking to anybody for pretty much the whole time after my visit. And really, the feeling — I realized that it wasn't just a visit high or some- thing like that. Those were real emotions that I was feeling. And I realized that's where I need to be. BWI: How do you see yourself fitting in at Penn State? CUNNINGHAM: When I see Penn State, they're a real down-and-dirty team, whether you're talking about the of- fensive game or the defensive game. Real smashmouth, run- heavy, and the same on the opposite side of the ball. They're really deep in the trenches. Also, part of why I liked Penn State's vision for me so much is because they see me as one of those players who could be versatile. They don't really see me as a straight defensive tackle or a defensive end. … I'm really just a defensive line- man. They see my versatility and they know I can be physical on the inside, but I'm also athletic enough to perhaps switch on the outside. Whatever situa- tion or defense we're in, I'm somebody that could adjust to it. BWI: What role did defensive line coach Deion Barnes play in your recruit- ment? CUNNINGHAM: Especially with Coach Barnes being a new hire, I feel like that was a great decision for Penn State. With him being an alum, that also helped, knowing that he's someone who has been here and been through the exact same program. This is somebody who can mentor me in a way that some of these other coaches won't be able to. I've had players tell me they were re- ally happy with that hire because he's the guy that got them ready for wher- ever they needed to go, whether it be a good college career or the [NFL]. He prepared a lot of those guys. ■ "I really just see Penn State as a genuine program that likes me as more than a football player." C U N N I N G H A M