WEST PALM BEACH – He went from zero to nine offers in a span of a few weeks.
Then he patiently waited for the right time to choose the right situation for him.
In the specific case of Keyshawn Cunningham, timing is everything.
The Forest Hill outgoing senior cornerback made his decision yesterday (March 20) to play college football at St. Vincent College. Cummingham made the announcement on his Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram social media accounts.
Cummingham ultimately chose St. Vincent College over the likes of St. Thomas, Manchester, Trine, Heidelberg, Greensboro College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Adrian College, and Avila.
“Praying and talking to my family was the main reason I was led with this decision,” Cunningham said of his commitment to St. Vincent College. “But the coaches made me family before I made the decision.”
Not long ago, Cunningham (No. 89 overall player; Class of 2020) was wondering how he would possibly go on to the next level.
“It seems so surreal that just a couple months ago, I had zero offers,” Cunningham said. “But after getting them, I knew I had to stay focused and keep grinding.”
Forest Hill’s most improved player and team leader had a highly productive senior season. He was selected to play in the Palm Beach County High School Football All-Star Game this past December.
The 5-foot-10, 145-pound cornerback finished with 45+ tackles (four tackles for loss), 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions. His best game came in Week 1 against Santaluces, when he recorded five tackles and a key second-half interception in a 40-32 win.
“My best moment was coming back on Santaluces and proving everyone wrong that we can win more than three games,” Cunningham said of Forest Hill, which exceeded expectations by going 6-4 in 10 games played.
Cunningham would also go on to be selected as a Class 8A honorable mention pick in Palm Beach County.
“He was great all year, playing well as anyone,” Forest Hill assistant coach Dwayne McClendon said this past November. “He was our Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior, and he worked his tail off to be our starting cornerback. He made tons of big plays for us.”
Moving forward, Cunningham is focusing on his future with St. Vincent College. He was supposed to take a visit to the school recently, but the current coronavirus pandemic has put that on hold for now.
Cunningham said he’ll be majoring in either business management or sports management at St. Vincent College.
“It will help me with making my own business or working in sports if football doesn’t work out,” the Forest Hill soon-to-be high school graduate said.
Cunningham reflected on his high school experience at Forest Hill.
“It’s been good,” he said. “Nothing was given, everything earned. I got to play for awesome coaches that want nothing but the best for you. I also have the best administration at my high school. Now I’m ready to start this next chapter in my life. I’ll continue to keep God first and just play football.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Gene Nardi and St. Vincent College Football
