On3 Consensus 5-Star Countdown: No. 5, DL T.A. Cunningham

Checking in as the No. 5 prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus is Roswell (Ga.) Johns Creek defensive lineman T.A. Cunningham. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder has already amassed more than two dozen offers, and that list will only grow from here.

As the 2022 recruiting cycle (mostly) closed in February, the attention shifted to the Class of 2023. But not completely. Schools across the country are already in the thick of things with the sophomore class, with top-end prospects already racking up double-digit offer lists. Those players won’t be able to sign for a minimum of 20 months, but getting in early on their recruitment is becoming a bigger priority than ever.

Because the 2024 class is just finishing their first or second season of varsity football, their skill sets — and ultimately evaluations — will change drastically in the next two years. The physical transformations that happen in between sophomore and junior season are the biggest at any point in the recruiting process. That makes it challenging to nail down the truly elite prospects that deserve five-star status. By the time the 2024 recruiting cycle is finished, there will be roughly 30-32 five-star prospects in the On3 Consensus. Thus far, there are just five.

T.A. Cunningham Scouting Summary

“Big, light-footed athlete along the defensive front. Has one of the bigger frames among top 2024 defensive linemen, checking in at 6-foot-6 and around 275 pounds prior to his junior season. Flashes his athleticism by making some high-level plays in pursuit. Regularly disrupts passing lanes and batted down several passes as a sophomore. Will need to continue developing his technique and hands in disengaging from blocks and as a pass rusher.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings