From the article, "A grimace and a smile for Kent State’s Jon Cunningham."
“It’s fun to watch a guy come in and see the transformation from the first year, even though he played a lot for us, to now with all the maturity and everything that he’s improved,” said KSU coach Paul Haynes. “Now he’s a dominant player, but also a smart player. He’s also done a really good job of getting himself in shape. He’s not a ‘two play and run yourself off the field because you can’t play anymore’ guy. We’d never ask him to do it, but he’s gotten himself into shape to play every down. That’s part of his maturity.”
Cunningham played his first two seasons at Kent State weighing well over 300 pounds.
“Losing weight last year really helped,” he said. “I dropped about 40 pounds. I definitely feel a lot better. I’m at about 285 right now, feeling great.”
Although he’s lighter these days, Cunningham is still the same crazed warrior in the weight room. His ultra-intense workouts are must-see TV, and earned him a spot on the ‘Top 25 Freaks’ in college football list compiled by Fox Sports in 2015.
“My back squat is around 600, my bench press around 405,” said Cunningham. “That didn’t go down when I lost weight. I wouldn’t let that happen.”
A lighter, more nimble yet still tremendously powerful Cunningham was named Third Team All-MAC for his adeptness at plugging up the middle of the line last season. He finished with 34 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2016, but those stats don’t do him justice, according to Haynes.
“Numbers don’t mean much for defensive linemen. When the other coaches in the league notice you, then you know you’re doing something right, and that’s what happened to him,” said Haynes. “Jon brings energy, leadership, and a great work ethic to this program. He’s very passionate. He’s not a real vocal guy, but when he talks, everyone listens because of his work ethic. When we’re running, that’s not the time for him to lead. He’s carrying that 300 pounds, so you know he’s going to be toward the back. We tell him when we’re in the weight room and when we’re out here on the football field, that’s your time to lead because you excel at those things.”
With Cunningham clogging the middle, the Flashes’ defense has the potential to be one of the MAC’s most feared units in 2017. But the anchor up front isn’t looking too far ahead.
“I’m just focused on what I need to do every day to dominate,” said Cunningham. “I’m focusing on hand technique, coming off the ball explosively, being violent. (Defensive line coach Colin) Ferrell does a great job of coaching us on the basic techniques, and that helps us in the long run.”
(Click web address below for full article)
http://www.record-courier.com/sports/20170816/grimace-and-smile-for-kent-states-jon-cunningham
“It’s fun to watch a guy come in and see the transformation from the first year, even though he played a lot for us, to now with all the maturity and everything that he’s improved,” said KSU coach Paul Haynes. “Now he’s a dominant player, but also a smart player. He’s also done a really good job of getting himself in shape. He’s not a ‘two play and run yourself off the field because you can’t play anymore’ guy. We’d never ask him to do it, but he’s gotten himself into shape to play every down. That’s part of his maturity.”
Cunningham played his first two seasons at Kent State weighing well over 300 pounds.
“Losing weight last year really helped,” he said. “I dropped about 40 pounds. I definitely feel a lot better. I’m at about 285 right now, feeling great.”
Although he’s lighter these days, Cunningham is still the same crazed warrior in the weight room. His ultra-intense workouts are must-see TV, and earned him a spot on the ‘Top 25 Freaks’ in college football list compiled by Fox Sports in 2015.
“My back squat is around 600, my bench press around 405,” said Cunningham. “That didn’t go down when I lost weight. I wouldn’t let that happen.”
A lighter, more nimble yet still tremendously powerful Cunningham was named Third Team All-MAC for his adeptness at plugging up the middle of the line last season. He finished with 34 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2016, but those stats don’t do him justice, according to Haynes.
“Numbers don’t mean much for defensive linemen. When the other coaches in the league notice you, then you know you’re doing something right, and that’s what happened to him,” said Haynes. “Jon brings energy, leadership, and a great work ethic to this program. He’s very passionate. He’s not a real vocal guy, but when he talks, everyone listens because of his work ethic. When we’re running, that’s not the time for him to lead. He’s carrying that 300 pounds, so you know he’s going to be toward the back. We tell him when we’re in the weight room and when we’re out here on the football field, that’s your time to lead because you excel at those things.”
With Cunningham clogging the middle, the Flashes’ defense has the potential to be one of the MAC’s most feared units in 2017. But the anchor up front isn’t looking too far ahead.
“I’m just focused on what I need to do every day to dominate,” said Cunningham. “I’m focusing on hand technique, coming off the ball explosively, being violent. (Defensive line coach Colin) Ferrell does a great job of coaching us on the basic techniques, and that helps us in the long run.”
(Click web address below for full article)
http://www.record-courier.com/sports/20170816/grimace-and-smile-for-kent-states-jon-cunningham
