BBrown: 2016 Names To Watch: Elijah Cunningham

Submitted by Brandon Brown on

Position: Quarterback
Ht/Wt/40: 6'3" / 170 lbs. / 4.78
Location: Springboro High School – Springboro, OH
Offers: None
Ranking: N/A
FILM

An under the radar prospect, Elijah Cunningham, grew up just north of Cincinnati in the heart of Buckeye country loving the Maize and Blue. Cunningham's father had very proud things to say about his son when we spoke last night.

Michigan was always Elijah's dream school growing up. Brady Hoke is from close to where we are from so he likes that about him too. Coach Smith actually came to the school to check out Elijah so they are showing a little interest. Elijah has a really strong arm, throws a baseball about 90 miles an hour. He runs about a 4.8 forty and all the scouts are pretty high on him. He's also a tough kid. He is a 2-time national boxing champ and Junior Olympic Champion. He's a good kid too, never in trouble and gets good grades.

You'd expect a dad to say good things about his son, but some of those things can't be fudged. Elijah and his father stopped by Schembechler Hall today to pay a visit to the staff and a mutual positive impression was made according to the elder Cunningham.

Elijah had a great visit with the staff today. They loved his film and want him to attend camp in June. They took him on a tour, showed him a recruiting video, and introduced him to Devin Gardner.

As you might expect, Elijah had good things to say as well.

I loved it! Michigan had by far the most impressive facilities I've seen thus far. I enjoyed it all a lot. I absolutely loved everything about Michigan. It was my first time being in Ann Arbor and I loved the city. The school is great too. Also meeting Devin Gardner was great. It's pretty cool to meet a guy like that. It would be an honor to go to Michigan.

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It's early in the process for Elijah, and who knows if he'll be considered for an offer, but mutual interest is being shown from him and the staff. Cunningham looks good on film. He has a calm, tall presence in the pocket with a quick, high, overhead release. He's got decent mobility for 6'3", but obviously needs to bulk up at just 170 lbs. He has plenty of time to work on his size and hone his skills being just a sophomore.

With all the high praise that Michigan received from the Cunningham clan, it's no surprise that Michigan is the easy favorite for Elijah. He also said, without hesitation, that he'd commit on the spot if offered. I'm not sure it'll happen, but it'll be interesting to follow how aggressively he's recruited from here on out. 

Coldwater

February 17th, 2014 at 9:14 PM ^

No need to offer this youngster yet. Let's see how he fills out and progresses. Nuss can take a closer look at the summer camp and his junior season.

kb33

February 17th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^

will get offered, but he is a fine young man...I live about 10 minutes from his high school, and grew up down the road from his father (who was one of my coaches in high school)... Best of luck Elijah!

joby1only

February 17th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^

I knew his dad through business years ago. I know cool story bro. I saw him in person in the playoffs vs Colerain-a perennial power. His team was way outmanned but he held his own in only his fith start. He made a few mistakes that you would expect the first time playing that level of talent. He took a beating but never gave up (boxer mentality). Miamisburg, home of 2017 offeree Josh Meyers is also in the same league.

Magnus

February 18th, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^

I don't think DeWeaver is the favorite for an offer. I think he's the guy who has shown the most interest. I imagine there are going to be higher profile prospects pursued before DeWeaver.

falco_alba15

February 17th, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^

I coach for a rival school in the conference and he was excellent in his game against us. He did have a high-profile target at TE but he had no problems with distribution or accuracy. He has a lot of upside. He was also thrown to the wolves after the starting QB was dismissed from the team midway through the season, so his maturity is accelerated. I'd hope that he gets an offer.

WolvinLA2

February 18th, 2014 at 12:55 AM ^

That's also not that low for a kid his age. Shane, who is the same height, was listed at 183 his senior year, and Elijah has a year and a half to get there. Kids at that age can put on weight in a hurry (well, at my age too) so I wouldn't worry about that.

GoWings2008

February 18th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

can get that weight on in a hurry.  They work too damn hard, imo, to keep their weight down.  I knew a kid who boxed, fought on Saturday night at 147 and by Monday morning, he was up to 170.  Water weight was most of it.  (Should be noted that the Saturday fight was his last fight in his college career, so he didn't care after that point).

cozy200

February 18th, 2014 at 6:04 AM ^

Gotta hope this kid gets an offer. He has accomplished a lot so far. He has to maintain discipline to get all that done and i like that a lot. Hope he gets an offer.

rpel84

February 18th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

I coach for another team in the conference. And this kid is pretty good for a young quarterback. Good release pretty solid mechanics. Does definitely need to grow and fill out. Seems like he has a great head on his shoulders. And I love wrestlers /boxers that play football. It just adds a different level of mental toughness and composure. And boxers tend to have great feet. Which sets up his throws and mechanics