Mr. Versatility chooses Purdue

Jake Cunningham has played several different positions at the high school level and he very well could play three or four different spots at the next level.

Jake Cunningham, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound, athlete from Pontiac, Illinois will be a four-year varsity starter in 2002. Cunningham has participated in several junior combines and he’s run the 40-yard dash in a best time of 4.3 seconds.

Cunningham decided to end his recruitment early as he found everything he wanted and needed at Purdue University.

“I probably could have had more offers but I decided that I was going to commit to Purdue.” Cunningham said. “Purdue has everything in a school that I’m looking for and they run an offense that suits my game.

“Purdue is recruiting me as an A-Back. Sort of how they used Vinny Sutherland.”

“Miami, Ohio and Northern Illinois were the other schools that offered me a scholarship. I went to Notre Dame for camp and they told me that they would offer me if I were 6’1”. I went to Illinois and ran routes for about an hour but nothing really happened there either.

Cunningham played defensive back as a freshman. He played both wide receiver and defensive back his sophomore season. Jake played running back his junior year, rushing for 1,400 yards averaging nine yards per carry. He also returned both punts and kicks for Pontiac for the past three seasons.

Cunningham was an all-state selection after his junior season.