The Players Corner-Ryan Cunningham, East Lake High-Safety

<strong><em><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The Players corner is a fun series where I get to sit down and interview prospects in the Bay Area. It's a fun way to get to know some of these players outside of just evaluating them. We at Prep Redzone Florida want to bring you all-access into these players, it's important to get to know them as individuals and what makes them great on and off the field! This series will give you the ability to get under the helmet and see what makes these prospects click and give you behind the scenes coverage.</span></em></strong> <strong><em> </em></strong> <strong><em>Ryan Cunningham- East Lake High, C/O 2021 DB/RB is one of the most versatile players in Pinellas County, he plays for a legendary coach in the </em></strong><strong><em>Bay Area in Bob Hudson. East Lake is a perennial playoff contender and Ryan Cunningham is a big part of it. In my opinion, he is a top 5 Safety in Pinellas County.</em></strong> <strong><em>Prep Redzone Florida recently sat down with him to get under the helmet and go behind the scenes with, Ryan.</em></strong> <img class="size-medium wp-image-38359 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/Ryan-Cunningham-181x300.jpg" alt="" width="181" height="300" /> <strong><em>Height- 5’10</em></strong> <strong><em>Weight- 190</em></strong> <strong><em>Tell me about your junior season. What did you learn from it?</em></strong> I learned lots of things throughout my junior season. The most important thing I walked away with was how important teamwork is for winning games, without it, the path to success becomes much more difficult. Playing both sides of the ball required lots of stamina and in order to be at 100% throughout all 4 quarters, you must practice/condition at 100%. <strong><em>Last season position and stats? What position are you focused on this season? </em></strong> <strong>Safety – Total tackles (66), Solo (38), Asst (28), TFL (3), INT (4), PBU (4), CF (2), Fumb rec (2)</strong> <strong>Running back- Carries (54), APY (478), Average (6.5), YPG (43.5), Lng (58), Tot. TDs (4)</strong> I have been putting most of my focus towards Defensive back. <strong><em>Who is the biggest role model in your life?</em></strong> My biggest role model would be my dad because he is always showing me how to do things the right way and he works incredibly hard for my family. I have always wanted to grow up and be a father like him. <strong><em>What would you say are your biggest strengths as a player?</em></strong> My biggest strengths are that I have lots of game experience, I’m a hard hitter, and I’m quick. My biggest weakness right now is getting out of transitions, but I have been training for that this whole offseason. <strong><em>What colleges have looked at you in terms of interest and offers in particular as a rising senior </em></strong> -Winona State University (Offered) -Mercer (Showing interest) I went to their camp going into my junior year and love the program -Holy Cross (Showing interest) -Sacramento State (Showing interest) -Western Carolina University (Showing interest) -Bryant University (Showing interest) -Dartmouth (Showing interest) -Columbia (Showing interest) -Fordham (Showing interest) -Univ Central Arkansas (Showing interest) -Stetson (Showing interest) <strong><em>Talk about what it was like to play for Coach Hudson and what makes him great?</em></strong> Playing for Coach Hudson is amazing, he has been coaching at East Lake High for over 25 years and you can tell how invested he is into all of his players and the program. He puts together fun team activities like retreats and team camps where we all grow together as a team. He has coached many that went on to play in the NFL and I have always wanted to be one of his players to make it there! <strong><em>What is your favorite part of the game?</em></strong> My favorite part of the game is all the little things that come with it, that being the connections that last a lifetime to the many life lessons learned on the gridiron. I am always surrounded by support and love the feeling I get when I put on my helmet! <strong><em>Personally, what is your final goal with the game of football whether it be on the field or off of it?</em></strong> I have always wanted to inspire the younger generation to do what they love and have goals and work at them and being a football player with a platform can be a great way to do that. There are so many people who inspire me, but my coaches and trainers are the ones who push me to new levels, and I would like to push people to levels they didn’t think they would be able to achieve so that’s why I would like to be a trainer in some sort when I grow up. <strong><em>Quick hitters about Ryan Cunningham that you may not know: </em></strong> Favorite player to watch- Barry Sanders Pregame songs- Dreams and Nightmares, Blood, Sweat, Tears Pregame habits- Pray, imagine making plays all-day Favorite Food- Ribs Schools I want to play at Mercer, Navy, WCU, USF, Sacramento State, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, Colorado, Buffalo, &nbsp; <strong><em>You Can Contact Shannon Jordan with a prospect or team information at <a href="mailto:shannon.jordan.ib@gmail.com">shannon.jordan.ib@gmail.com</a></em></strong>