Malik Cunningham eager to join Alabama’s prep QB in NFL

Former Alabama high school quarterbacks lined up on opposite sides of the football in Sunday’s AFC championship game, with Blunt’s Kadarius Toney as wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs and Park Crossing’s Kam Taylor-Blitt for Cincinnati. He was a cornerback for the Bengals.

Malik Cunningham, who is connected to both players, hopes to join the NFL after Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Tony is heading into Super Bowl LVII after the Chiefs won 23-20 on Sunday.

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In his final game as a quarterback before turning wide receiver in Florida, Tony threw for 493 yards and 5 touchdowns and ran for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Blount won the third round. lost 54-51 to Park Crossing. His AHSAA Class 6A Playoffs on November 18, 2016. At quarterback for the Thunderbirds, Cunningham has scored 292 yards and 4 touchdowns in the air, and 77 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground.

“I was just talking to a Chiefs scout the other day,” Cunningham said of his game with Tony. I hope he comes back to the state.”

Tony won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A Back of the Year Award, and Cunningham earned first-team statewide recognition in 2016.

Cunningham passed for 2,913 yards and 30 touchdowns and ran for 1,015 yards and 19 touchdowns in his senior season at Park Crossing. The Thunderbirds won Class 6A Region 2 for his third straight season in 2017, with Taylor-Britt at quarterback. Taylor-Britt turned to the secondary at the University of Nebraska, but Park was his quarterback at the Crossings, where he had 1,466 passing yards and 16 TDs passing, 1,030 rushing yards and 14 TDs rushed, making him one of the first-team first-team players in his senior season. Earned All-State honors.

“I spoke with Cam before the[AFC Championship]game,” Cunningham said. And he’s only one game away from making it to the Super Bowl. It was great to see him compete this year. He played at a very high level.

“Come on, I want to see Kadarius finish it.”

Taylor-Britt’s rookie season ended with the AFC Championship Game. Tony is playing his second NFL season.

Cunningham is pushing Tony and Taylor-Britt to join the NFL after six seasons in Louisville. Lamar Jackson, who redshirted his 2017 and won his Heisman trophy in 2016, finished his college career with the Cardinals. Cunningham started his first three games in 2018 and then spent four of his seasons as Louisville’s No. 1 QB.

Cunningham finished his college career with 9,660 passing yards and 70 touchdown passing, 3,179 rushing yards and 50 touchdown runs. However, he was the last quarterback announced to the 2023 Senior Bowl roster after Georgia’s Stetson Bennett declined to play.

“This is a great opportunity,” said Cunningham. “I am honored and honored to be here. There was no other way I wanted.

Cunningham did not get off to a strong start in the Senior Bowl. His height is 5ft he is 11.875 and he missed practice on Tuesday due to a stomach ailment. However, he is back on the field for Wednesday’s workout.

“I want to prove that I can play against them at a high level,” Cunningham said. “I can throw all the throws they need.” “I want to prove that I can play pro-style offense and I can throw out of my pocket.” am. ”

Cunningham is one of seven former Alabama Prep Stars in this year’s Senior Bowl.

Cunningham’s varsity teammate of the week, Troy center Jake Andrews, was named the second team all-state pick of 2016 during Park Crossing’s 19-0 win over Stanhope Elmore on Sept. 2, 2016. was. Defensive his tackle DJ Dale for the American team in Alabama. The Thunderbirds defeated Clay Chalkville 56-17 on October 21, 2016.

Taylor-Britt says what he learned at Park Crossing has helped him tackle Senior Bowl Week.

“You have to jump into the playbook and get a clear understanding,” Taylor Britt said. I’ve been in that position for a long time, so the pressure isn’t that big for me. ”

Like Cunningham’s height, each of the other five quarterbacks in the Senior Bowl have their faults in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators. Cunningham said he believes his senior bowl quarterbacks have a similar mindset when it comes to their mission.

“You have to put your head down and do your job,” said Cunningham. “I’m not really worried about all the stocks and stuff like that. At the end of the day, from the first pick to the last pick, it’s about going in and proving yourself and knowing you belong.” I feel like everyone understands that.It doesn’t matter where you get hired.It’s how you keep it and how you grow as a player.”

The 74th Annual Reese Senior Bowl kicks off Saturday at 1:30 PM CST on mobile. The NFL Network will air the game. Tickets can be purchased online.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter. @AMarkG1.