Get to know 2025 signee Jonathan Cunningham
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting fan in need of a refresher or a casual fan in need of only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing day for college football begins December 4 and runs through December 6. This series gives you the chance to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with keeping Texas in a position of national prominence.
To win at a consistently high level means stacking talented class after talented class. The top-five 2025 class does just that following top-six finishes in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 classes.
On the first national signing day, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2025 signing class. Up next, Jonathan Cunningham
The Player: Jonathan Cunningham, LB, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
The Rating: 88.67
The Ranking: Cunningham was ranked as the No. 491 overall prospect, the No. 54 linebacker, and the No. 70 player in Texas in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranked Cunningham as the No. 56 linebacker and the No. 108 player in Texas.
The Recruitment: Cunningham was recruited by a number of schools, but when it came down to the final two it was between Utah and Texas. Cunningham’s head coach played arena football with Texas High School Relations coach Jahmal Fenner. In the end Texas gave Cunningham’s family a chance to see all his games and that was important.
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The relationship with the staff and Johnny Nansen was important as well.
“Coach Nansen is just like family,” Cunningham said. “He’s like that uncle who is just looking out for you, giving you advice, always wanting the best for you, and I feel like he’ll take care of me and develop me.”
The Projection: Cunningham is a versatile defender who brings a unique skill set to North Crowley’s defense, lining up at safety, EDGE, and linebacker. His ability to play in space, cover receivers, and contribute in pass rush shows his athleticism and range. Despite his slightly lean frame, he is unafraid to engage in the run game, shedding blockers and making key tackles. Cunningham’s versatility and willingness to take on multiple roles make him an asset for Texas, where he could develop into a hybrid defender with both coverage and pass-rush abilities.
The Reasoning: “On my visit, just talking to the players on the team, they are really working to be the best. I feel like to be the best I need to go and be around the best and compete with the best every single day. The current players have great work ethic and I feel like my work ethic matches theirs, and I want to be around people who are trying to improve every single day.
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The Final Word: Cunningham is a versatile prospect who will be an early enrollee and is no stranger to hard work. He comes from a program that believes in earning everything you get, with proper structure and culture. He’ll have no problem adapting to college workouts which could help him be prepared for the Fall,
