Cunningham has honed his strategic awareness to a T. He controls matchups, reads the game with excellence, and anticipates opponents’ moves with precision. He’s a team-first player and a reliable last line of defense. With a versatile athletic background, Cunningham is a Top 100 prospect with loads of potential. He has size, skill, and a high lacrosse IQ, making him a great addition to any roster. In addition, Cunningham disrupts offensive plays effectively, and has a high-level understanding of the game as a whole. He is a well-rounded player and a phenomenal anchor of the defense.

Having been relatively unfamiliar with his game coming into the event, Cunningham is a big, physical defender who looked the part and popped for me right away. He constantly puts opposing offensive players in uncomfortable situations, applying pressure between the lines to force passers into turnovers, deflecting passes and shots, and putting guys on the turf, doing the latter on multiple occasions. He caused a ton of turnovers throughout the event (and did so just seconds into the semifinal), and though there were times he needed to be reined in, the type of physicality Cunningham provided was something that you could live with. At one point after being flagged, he came flying out of the box and applied another huge hit right away. Possessing a great stick and offensive instincts, his game stands out compared to the rest of the 2027 defensemen I’ve seen from a size and physicality standpoint.

Cunninghamis a long and powerful (210 lbs.) close defender who this summer was named as the defensive MVP of the Inside Lacrosse Summer Cup tournament. With his size, impressive footwork, and large wingspan it is extremely difficult for offensive players to get past Cunningham. Thus, Cunningham can simply wear out a ball carrier until he makes a mistake. Cunningham is then quick to recognize those opportunities to create a turnover and can throw variety of timely checks to put the ball on the ground. Cunningham also has a knack for keeping his stick in the passing lanes and then snaring any ill-advised distribution attempts. Around the net, Cunningham can play an intimidating, physical style of defense.