Vanderbilt. Zach Cunningham . 22. player. 10. Teams have had a difficult time throwing the ball against the Houston Texans, and this is without J.J. Watt as part of their pass rush. On the flip side, it’s been a sight easier running it. Houston ranks an average 13th in run defense, allowing 99.5 yards per game on the ground. A big reason for this has been the inconsistent play they’ve gotten at inside linebacker. Brian Cushing has clearly lost a step due to mounting injuries and Benardrick McKinney is ascending but still up and down.
<p>Zach Cunningham has emerged as one of the top ILBs in college football. The fact he did it with an average program like Vanderbilt showcases just how good he is. Like any good linebacker he’s tough and knows how to tackle. What sets him apart from others is his sideline to sideline range and instinct for diagnosing what the offense will do before the snap. Anticipation is a huge part of success at the NFL level. </p>. ILB