Former Cincinnati OL Cunningham hungry for enjoyment
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Former Cincinnati Bearcats offensive tackle Korey Cunningham is an example that hard work pays off. It’s not often that you find a former 220-pound tight end blossom into a 315-pound all-conference tackle in just a four-year period. The transformation landed him a berth in the 2018 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he performed admirably at guard on game day. He described the arduous weight-gaining process late in 2017.
“I would have protein shakes and chipotle three times a day,” the second-team All-AAC tackle explained during a pregame meeting with CBS in late November 2017. “Then I would do extra workouts at night.”
Aside from the Chipotle visits, he also had lots of white rice and brown rice to get up to around 2,100 calories per day. It speaks to his commitment. On the field, his improvements have been just as dramatic. He became more sudden in his kick-slide and it resulted in better finish as a pass protector. Never was this more evident than on a few occasions against 2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year Shaquem Griffin during their 2017 battle. Perhaps more telling was his 2016 encounter with former Temple star outside linebacker and 2017 Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Haason Reddick.
“After the game against Reddick, I gained a lot of confidence,” Cunningham stated. “I’m just staying positive, enjoying the moment and having a good time.”
Positivity. Enjoyment.
Words that resonate on a day-to-day basis.
It is no surprise that he earned Cincinnati’s Jim Kelly Spirit Award at the postseason senior awards banquet.
If his work ethic is any indication, he could very well ‘enjoy’ the 2018 NFL Draft.
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