Vanderbilt's Cunningham 'true fit' for Mason's defense
A prized James Franklin recruit at Vanderbilt looks like the perfect fit in Derek Mason’s defense.
Sophomore Zach Cunningham leads all SEC linebackers in tackles for loss (10.5) and forced fumbles (3) heading into the Commodores’ game at No. 11 Florida on Saturday (11 a.m./ESPN).
The fact that he’s making such plays in Mason’s 3-4 scheme is perhaps most surprising because he was a four-star signee intended to excel in a 4-3 defense under Franklin, who left Vanderbilt for Penn State following the 2013 season.
“When Coach Mason came here (in 2014), I had never played in a 3-4 before,” said Cunningham, who also leads Vanderbilt in total tackles (59). “It was all new to me and I didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited to see how I was going to fit in it.
“I guess I have found my place in it.”
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Mason calls Cunningham “a true fit for a 3-4 defense” because of his athleticism and flexibility. Unlike some situational linebackers, Cunningham rarely leaves the field. He can stuff the run, blitz the passer or drop into coverage.
“He’s an every-down guy, and that’s why you’ve seen him in almost every snap of every ball game that he’s been in,” Mason said.
And keeping its most productive player on the field in all situations has helped the defense stay consistent on all downs. Vanderbilt leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally in third-down defense. And the Commodores have allowed only 16.6 first downs per game, ranked No. 16 in the nation.
Cunningham’s speed and athleticism set on a 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame makes him a “good sideline-to-sideline” linebacker, according to Mason, but his understanding of the defense has flourished over the past year.
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“He fits this scheme well because he processes information fast,” Mason said. “… He sees it and can get to the ball. He’s a see-ball, get-ball guy. But more than that, he’s been able to function within the schemes that we do — man, zone, it doesn’t really matter.”
Cunningham has posted 50 total tackles in the past five games. And last week, he had a heavy hand in two takeaways at Houston, forcing two fumbles and recovering one of them.
“You can just go out there and watch that man play,” safety Andrew Williamson said. “He’s fast, he’s physical. And playing in this league at linebacker, if you’re fast and physical you’ll be able to make plays. And as you can see, he is making plays sideline to sideline.”
Few players know that Cunningham is among the most productive play-making linebackers in the SEC, including himself.
“I actually had no idea about any of that,” Cunningham said of learning he leads all SEC linebackers in tackles for loss and forced fumbles. “I try to measure myself against others, but I don’t do that with stats or rankings. So I didn’t know about that.”
There’s ample reasons for Cunningham’s virtual anonymity among the SEC’s elite linebackers. Last season he played second fiddle to Vanderbilt’s better-known rookie linebacker, Freshman All-SEC Nigel Bowden. And Cunningham came off the bench in the linebacker rotation in the first two games this season until Bowden went down with a season-ending concussion.
“And when I came in, it wasn’t like me taking Nigel’s place,” Cunningham said. “Nigel is a great player. I just tried to grow into the defense. I can’t fully say that I’m (a perfect fit) in a 3-4, but I have become accustomed to it.”
Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
BY THE NUMBERS: ZACH CUNNINGHAM
1 Fumble recovery
2.5 Sacks, tied with Stephen Weatherly for second-most on the team.
3 Forced fumbles leads all SEC linebackers and ranks second among all SEC players.
10.5 Tackles for loss leads all SEC linebackers.
59 Total tackles leads Vanderbilt, including 50 in the past five games.
NEXT GAME
VANDERBILT (3-5, 1-3 SEC) at NO. 11 FLORIDA (7-1, 5-1)
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
TV/radio: ESPN/1510-AM, 95.9-FM