Senior Korey Cunningham ran onto the football field Thursday, Aug. 30 against Fultondale High School.  In his past high school football experience, Cunningham has not had his chance to shine.  During his sophomore year, a spread offense that didn’t throw to the tight end limited him to blocking.  Similarly, during his junior year, former head coach Jamie Williams moved him to the tackle position in a wing-T offense.
    Since the end of last year’s season, though, the 6’6”, 241 lb. tight end has been working hard the entire off season: getting stronger in the weight room, traveling to college camps around the southeast and executing at practice.  Cunningham credits newly hired strength and conditioning coach Mike Dais for his increase in performance in the weight room. 
    “My bench max has improved about 60 pounds or more since he [Dais] came,” Cunningham said.  “He knows what he’s doing, and he pushes us to get stronger.”
    Cunningham’s performances at the camps he’s attended have brought some considerable interest from several well known universities like Auburn, Clemson, Alabama and South Carolina.  The following universities have all made college football scholarship offers to Cunningham already:  the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Southern Mississippi, South Alabama, Louisiana Lafayette and Middle Tennessee State.
    “Korey has the potential to be great,” head coach Andrew Zow said.  “From what I’ve seen, he will have a great senior year if he continues to show the work ethic and leadership he’s shown in the past few months. He has a chance to make some noise here in Montevallo.”
    As the season gets under way, Cunningham aims to meet his potential and finally prove himself as a college-ready tight-end.
    “Korey has a strong work ethic,” senior wide receiver Tre McClendon said.  “He is a constant leader on and off the field, and is an all-around good person.”