WEST POINT — If you understand the final month in Everitt Cunningham’s life, it makes sense things were extra hectic on National Signing Day.
A large crowd waited patiently as all the final plans were put in place for Cunningham to sign a scholarship offer with Memphis on Wednesday night at the West Point High School Field House.
Cunningham saved his decision and the accompanying suspense until taking the stage. Memphis and Alabama-Birmingham were the finalists from more than 20 offers.
“This is a dream come true,” Cunningham said. “The coaches and players at Memphis made me feel at home. This was a tough decision. It wasn’t decided until right now. I feel blessed to have several good offers. That made me know all of the hard work had paid off.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Cunningham was a late bloomer at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba. His sophomore season began with a fight for a starting position. His season ended with second-team All-America honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
“A tireless worker,” EMCC defensive coordinator Cliff Collins said. “(Cunningham’s) motor is always running. He has a tremendous work ethic, and it rubs off on the other players around him.”
West Point coach Chris Chambless always takes pride when one of his former players signs a senior college scholarship offer. Chambless felt like Cunningham was under-valued after leading West Point to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State championship in 2016.
“The biggest thing football has taught Everitt is patience,” Chambless said. “He had to take the long road. If your goal is to play Division I football and that’s your passion, keep working at it. We won a lot of games when Everitt was here. On some nights, he was the best player on the field. Then at EMCC, he took the field and showed that he is one of the best players on the field.”
Cunningham’s stock soared in the final month of EMCC’s season. When EMCC defeated Garden City C.C. (Kansas) 10-9 in the national championship game, Cunningham had two fumble recoveries, including a sack and strip of the quarterback he returned for the team’s only touchdown.
Several offers came in after the game at Carnie Smith Stadium. From there, it was a mad dash to the finish line in the classroom and on the recruiting trail.
“The last month has been a whirlwind,” Cunningham said. “You can’t really get caught up in the recruiting process because there are games to play. That, and you have to take care of everything in the classroom. Fortunately, our coaches do a great job of staying on us and making sure everything is taken care of.
“I feel humble and blessed to be in this position to win a state championship and two junior college national championships. My coaches have always had my back and been real supportive.”
Cunningham finished his second season with 57 tackles, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks. His only two takeaways for the season occurred in the national championship game.
“I think the world of (Memphis coach) Mike Norvell,” Chambless said. “I have known him for a long time. They run a first-class program. This will be a great opportunity for Everitt to play for a great coaching staff. He can go in and make an impact right away.”
The 15-member signing class confirmed by Memphis late Wednesday night included seven players from Mississippi. The Mississippi group includes Starkville High School seniors Rodrigues Clark and Jalil Clemons, as well as Noxubee County senior Maliek Stallings. Those players signed but didn’t have a signing ceremony. Noxubee County High coach Tyrone Shorter said Stallings and Kyziah Pruitt, who signed with Mississippi State, would wait until February, the second National Signing Day, to be a part of his program’s annual ceremony at the school.
“They have a Mississippi thing going on,” Cunningham said. “If they have Mississippi boys, they have winners. We are built differently. We are special.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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