A breakdown between 2013 University School WR Jordan Cunningham and Miami Freshman WR Herbert Waters
Size: Cunningham
While Cunningham is listed at 6'3, he is closer to 6’1. Waters stands at about 6’0 so the size advantage for Cunningham is slight, but he uses his body very well and plays bigger than 6’1. Both players need to bulk up though to be able to sustain a full season at the college level.
Explosiveness: Waters
This one isn’t even close. Lack of top-end speed is the biggest knock on Cunningham, but Waters has plenty of it. When you watch him play, it doesn’t look like he’s running all that fast, but he just glides past defenders. He is very smooth with his cuts and can turn a short pass into a long gain.
Route Running: Cunningham
At this point in their careers, Cunningham is ahead of Waters in this category. I would say that Cunningham is one of the best route runners in the country. He does a good job of disguising his pattern until the last possible second, which is a very useful ability. Waters definitely has the ability to get to that next level because he shows extreme fluidity. Coach McDonald has a great athlete to work with.
Versatility: Waters
This is another are where Waters wins in a no-contest. Cunningham will primarily line up on the outside, but Waters has the ability to play outside, in the slot, return kicks and punts, and maybe even play corner. I am in the boat that thinks his highest upside is actually at corner because he has great hips, speed, and long arms. Even if he stays at receiver, which is more likely, he shows more versatility.
Ball Skills: Cunningham
It has become obvious at this point that I believe Cunningham is the more natural receiver of the two. He has the ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point and can snag it even if it is poorly thrown. This isn’t a knock on Waters, it is just something that Cunningham excels at. This is another area that Waters will develop with more experience at the position. He played a lot of QB at Homestead.
Upside: Waters
I believe Waters is the better “football player” of the two. He has already shown the ability to make big plays and he has done it while being very raw as a receiver. Once he gets the college coaching, he can be special. Cunningham is a possession receiver. There is definitely room for those guys, as they are often the most reliable receivers on the team (Allen Hurns for example), but as far as “upside”, Waters has more of it.
Waters Junior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvPNUjHkPJk&feature=fvwrel
Waters Senior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGg1MHMS1Y
Cunningham Sophomore Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhIQGb984PU
Cunningham Junior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0diS7F7oQ30
Size: Cunningham
While Cunningham is listed at 6'3, he is closer to 6’1. Waters stands at about 6’0 so the size advantage for Cunningham is slight, but he uses his body very well and plays bigger than 6’1. Both players need to bulk up though to be able to sustain a full season at the college level.
Explosiveness: Waters
This one isn’t even close. Lack of top-end speed is the biggest knock on Cunningham, but Waters has plenty of it. When you watch him play, it doesn’t look like he’s running all that fast, but he just glides past defenders. He is very smooth with his cuts and can turn a short pass into a long gain.
Route Running: Cunningham
At this point in their careers, Cunningham is ahead of Waters in this category. I would say that Cunningham is one of the best route runners in the country. He does a good job of disguising his pattern until the last possible second, which is a very useful ability. Waters definitely has the ability to get to that next level because he shows extreme fluidity. Coach McDonald has a great athlete to work with.
Versatility: Waters
This is another are where Waters wins in a no-contest. Cunningham will primarily line up on the outside, but Waters has the ability to play outside, in the slot, return kicks and punts, and maybe even play corner. I am in the boat that thinks his highest upside is actually at corner because he has great hips, speed, and long arms. Even if he stays at receiver, which is more likely, he shows more versatility.
Ball Skills: Cunningham
It has become obvious at this point that I believe Cunningham is the more natural receiver of the two. He has the ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point and can snag it even if it is poorly thrown. This isn’t a knock on Waters, it is just something that Cunningham excels at. This is another area that Waters will develop with more experience at the position. He played a lot of QB at Homestead.
Upside: Waters
I believe Waters is the better “football player” of the two. He has already shown the ability to make big plays and he has done it while being very raw as a receiver. Once he gets the college coaching, he can be special. Cunningham is a possession receiver. There is definitely room for those guys, as they are often the most reliable receivers on the team (Allen Hurns for example), but as far as “upside”, Waters has more of it.
Waters Junior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvPNUjHkPJk&feature=fvwrel
Waters Senior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXGg1MHMS1Y
Cunningham Sophomore Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhIQGb984PU
Cunningham Junior Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0diS7F7oQ30
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