16 Sep Scouting Notes: Myron Cunningham, OT, Arkansas
Redshirt Senior | 6’6” 320 lbs | Warren, OH
A patient, mobile tackle prospect with a sturdy anchor who needs to improve his blitz anticipation and pad level
Overview:
Myron Cunningham began his collegiate career at Western Illinois before transferring to Iowa Central Community College. While there, he turned himself into a 3-star offensive tackle recruit and parlayed his performance into an immediate role on the Arkansas offensive line. Cunningham played all over the line last season for the Razorbacks, lining up at right guard and right tackle early in the season before switching to left tackle due to injury. He has reportedly bulked up from 290 to 320 pounds this offseason in prep for his starting LT role in new head coach Sam Pittman’s presumably run-heavy attack. Under former HC Chad Morris last season, Cunningham primarily was a gap blocker with some inside zones mixed in.
Strengths:
– Above average length and consistent ability to keep his arms extended help keep DL at bay
– Patient and under control getting to the second level. Shows the ability to hit his aiming points consistently and stay square outside the tackle box
– Shows good lateral mobility on scoop blocks, when pulling, and while hitting his landmarks on zone blocks
– Utilizes proper knee bend and good ankle flexion while dropping his anchor. Has shown the ability to capably anchor against interior DL
– Smooth, efficient kick slides help him reach his set points quickly
– Keeps his hands active and shows the ability to re-fit after misses
– Good recovery ability to overcome awkward angles and stay sustained with blocks. Speaks to his flexibility and core strength
Areas to improve:
– Below average anticipation of blitzes and stunts. Late to react
– Needs to keep his pads down more consistently while anchoring in pass protection
– Hand placement can get a little wild
– Has some issues with balance. Leans his shoulders too far in front of his knees as a run blocker and can get tossed to the ground because of it
– Reactive athleticism on an island is is merely sufficient. Has some trouble changing direction to stay with inside rush counters
– Though he flashed some power, he does not generate torque with his hips consistently
Injury concerns:
N/A
Projection:
Cunningham currently projects best as a right tackle prospect in a zone-heavy scheme, though he has shown the versatility and overall skill set to play at either guard or tackle spot. While he has the build to function well in a gap-heavy scheme, his mobility and ability to stay square at the second and third level will be more provide more value to zone teams. Cunningham may need to improve his pad level and anticipatory acumen on stunts before he can become a starter, but projects to be a starting right tackle by his second year in the NFL. Expect him to be taken sometime in the mid-to-late Day 2 range.
What to watch in 2020:
With former Georgia OL coach and Associate HC Sam Pittman taking over the program, Cunningham will have the ideal tutelage for his senior season. Pittman just recently helped produce two 2020 first round tackles at Georgia, and Cunningham has the talent to potentially follow suit if he can show out against an All-SEC football schedule.
- XTB’s Director of Scouting
- Bay Area-born sports lover who has worked in the football industry as a journalist, coach, film analyst, and scout.
- Currently a graduate student attending the UMass Sport Management program, and received his BA in journalism at Hofstra University.