April 28, 2017
Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham became the program’s highest defensive draft pick in 16 years when he was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans on Friday.
The Texans selected Cunningham, a unanimous First Team All-America in 2016, with the 57th overall pick. It is the highest selection of a Commodore defensive standout since linebacker Jamie Winborn was taken 47th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 1998.
“I was definitely excited and relieved at the same time. I was feeling nervous watching the picks go through,” Cunningham said. “I’m just taking it all in, but it was a huge surprise to me. It’s a blessing to me, this whole process has been a blessing. I’m at a loss for words, really.”
“I’m excited for Zach and his family, and I’m excited for our football program,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason. “Zach is truly one of the best I’ve ever coached, and he enjoyed a remarkably productive career as a Commodore. But more than that, he’s been a great teammate to all the guys. I look forward to Zach having a tremendous career in the NFL.”
Cunningham becomes the second Commodore ever selected by Houston. The Texans’ previous Vanderbilt selection, defensive back Andre Hal in 2014, served as the team’s starting safety last year.
The 6-4, 230-pound Cunningham finished his college career as arguably the most decorated player in Vanderbilt history. Last season, the Pinson, Ala. native finished as the Southeastern Conference leader with 125 total tackles and four fumble recoveries, ranking second with 71 unassisted tackles and third with 16.5 tackles for loss. Cunningham’s unassisted stops and total tackles marked the most by a Commodore defender in a dozen years. Cunningham’s 16.5 tackles for loss tied for the third-highest total in a single season in modern Vanderbilt history.
Cunningham earned consensus First Team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Walter Camp Foundation. ESPN, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, USA Today and Phil Steele were other prominent outlets naming Cunningham as a first team All-America.
In 2015 and 2016, Cunningham was a consensus First Team All-SEC linebacker. He became Vanderbilt’s first Butkus Award finalist in 2016.
With Cunningham’s selection, Vanderbilt now awaits the draft status of offensive linemen Will Holden, Barrett Gouger and Andrew Jelks, defensive linemen Torey Agee and Adam Butler, receivers Latevius Rayford and Darrius Sims, cornerback Torren McGaster and linebackers Nehemiah Mitchell and Ja’karri Thomas.
Welcome to houston @ZCunningham_LB finally got another Vandy boy on the team!! #NFLDraft #AnchorDown
— Andre Hal (@Drehal29) April 29, 2017
Vandy boy! Congrats @ZCunningham_LB #AnchorDown
— Jordan Matthews (@jmattjmattjmatt) April 29, 2017
It’s been way to long @ZCunningham_LB for this pick. You will make every team that passed you up regret it. God Bless you and your journey⚓⬇
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) April 29, 2017
#BloodHound???
— Chris Marve (@Coach_Marve) April 29, 2017
