CUNNINGHAM JR. ON THE GRIDIRON
Cunningham Jr. is a threat with both his arm and his speed.
File photo by Jann Hendry
With so many blowout wins, Cunningham got plenty of playing time and made the most of it, completing 21 of 32 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns.
He also rushed 42 times for 483 yards and seven scores — and that includes sacks.
Even with his limited duty,
247Sports.com ranks him the 20th best dual-threat quarterback in the country. Sanchez thinks he’s much higher than that, but understands he needs to prove himself.
Cunningham will no doubt get his chance, especially early, as the Gaels have one of the nation’s most challenging preseason schedules with road games at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) and home games vs. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), Washington (Miami) and Mountain Pointe (Phoenix).
What Sanchez likes perhaps most is Cunningham’s nature.
"He’s very calm," he said. "He doesn’t get rattled and is very unassuming."
Cunningham grew up around the game with his father, a four-time All-Pro selection who threw for 29,979 yards and 207 touchdowns in his career. Football Nation ranked him the 23rd best quarterback of the NFL’s post-merger era.
He’s not focused on living up to the name any longer. He’s more interested in the names on the other jerseys.
"I love everything about the sport," Cunningham said. "I love being able to be around and lead my teammates, to watch them and help them do great things."
