Auburn in Top 3 for defensive end standout
Auburn hosted many of the top players in the nation last weekend for their first of many camps this summer. Along with five-star prospect Marcus Ball, who is rated the No. 2 outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com, Stone Mountain (GA) Stephenson High School also featured one of the top defensive end prospects in the South in teammate Jermaine Cunningham.
Cunningham, who is 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, competed in the 7-on-7 team passing camp event despite playing out of position. With the passing camp focusing on skill-position players only, Cunningham saw action at both linebacker and tight end.
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Ball and Cunningham led Stephenson into the semifinals of the competition before losing out to eventual tournament champion Belle Glade (FL) Glades Central B.
"The camp was good," said Cunningham. "The outcome isn't what we wanted. To tell you the truth, I didn't do too good. If I would've, we would've won."
Playing linebacker on defense was obviously different for Cunningham.
"It is the first I've played linebacker so I'm just now getting to know the coverages," he said. "I will get better, though, and learn and be able to do it more during the season."
Although he wasn't pleased with his performance, the same can't be said about his time spent in Auburn. Not only was Cunningham able to compete in the camp, but he also spoke with many Tiger coaches including recruiting coach Terry Price and defensive coordinator David Gibbs, saw the campus and hung out with some old friends and current Auburn players.
"I talked to Coach Price and Coach Gibbs," said Cunningham. "I also hung out with some of the football players. We had a real good time."
Cunningham already sports offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Florida State, Arkansas and Michigan among others. He had listed Auburn as one of his favorites entering the camp, and reemphasized the Tigers as major contenders afterwards.
"Auburn ... I love it," he said. "When I go down there, they always show me a good time. Auburn is up there at the top. I could definitely see myself playing there. They are in my top three with Georgia and Florida."
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