Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham Enters Draft

Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham announced tonight that he’s declaring for the 2017 NFL draft, as Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio tweets.Zach Cunningham (Vertical)

[RELATED: Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers Declares For Draft]

Cunningham, 22, has played in 32 games for the Commodores over the past three seasons, and has been a tackling machine during that time. He’s racked up 256 tackles — including 36 for a loss — along with six sacks, seven forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries during his Vanberbilt career. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com recently ranked Cunningham as the No. 3 inside linebacker in 2017 class, behind Alabama’s Reuben Foster and Ohio State’s Raekwon McMillan.

Given that NCAA underclassmen only have until Sunday to declare for the 2017 draft, Cunningham’s announcement tonight means he’s one of the latest early entrants this year, leading Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) to ask a scout why Cunningham had waited on his decision. “We’re not in love with him,” said the scout, predicting that Cunningham will be selected in Round 2 or 3. “Needs to gain strength, make more tackles.”

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