Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham announced tonight that he’s declaring for the 2017 NFL draft, as Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio tweets.
[RELATED: Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers Declares For Draft]
Cunningham, 22, has played in 32 games for the Commodores over the past three seasons, and has been a tackling machine during that time. He’s racked up 256 tackles — including 36 for a loss — along with six sacks, seven forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries during his Vanberbilt career. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com recently ranked Cunningham as the No. 3 inside linebacker in 2017 class, behind Alabama’s Reuben Foster and Ohio State’s Raekwon McMillan.
Given that NCAA underclassmen only have until Sunday to declare for the 2017 draft, Cunningham’s announcement tonight means he’s one of the latest early entrants this year, leading Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) to ask a scout why Cunningham had waited on his decision. “We’re not in love with him,” said the scout, predicting that Cunningham will be selected in Round 2 or 3. “Needs to gain strength, make more tackles.”
good second round pick for the raiders.
Is there any clarification to the scout’s “make more tackles” remark? As you the author said, dude really piled up the totals at Vandy so I’m wondering what the scout meant. Does Cunningham have too many failed tackles or does the scout think he doesn’t get involved in enough plays and needs to move better or what?
That’s a great question, and I’m honestly not sure what the scout meant. Miller didn’t elaborate on the scout’s comment, but he did say Cunningham had been his highest-ranked undeclared player: link to twitter.com