South Park Defensive Lineman Troy Cunningham Finds Fit at Temple

Following his junior season, South Park defensive lineman Troy Cunningham started to reel in college football offers. Once he was back in action as a senior, he collected even more, totaling 18 Division I offers, but it was the last one that held more weight than the offers.

Upon completing an official visit at the end of January, Cunningham committed to the Temple Owls and signed with the program on Wednesday during National Signing Day.

“I knew I really liked the coaching staff going into the visit and knew if I liked the campus, it would be the place for me,” Cunningham told Pittsburgh Sports Now.

After a great official visit this weekend I’m excited to announce my commitment to @Temple_FB @CoachKCKeeler @Coachblsmith @CoachCCalhoun
I will be signing on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/ybGVfkrdLh

— Troy Cunningham (@Troy52C) February 4, 2025

Cunningham, who stands at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, selected Temple over other offers from Bowling Green, Navy, Air Force, Wofford, Harvard, Towson, New Hampshire, Stony Brook, Maine, Bryant, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Monmouth, Colgate, Cornell, Penn and Dartmouth.

After Temple offered on Dec. 28, Cunningham made it a priority to visit the program and did so on Jan. 31 through Feb. 1. He had the chance to experience everything Temple had to offer and meet with the coaches who have been at the front of his recruitment.

“Coach [Brian] Smith, their defensive coordinator, and coach [Cedric] Calhoun, their d-line coach, I’ve known them since they were at Rice and knew how I could fit into their scheme,” Cunningham said.

Attracted by the city living in Philadelphia and playing in the American Athletic Conference, Cunningham feels he can make an impact at Temple.

“I think I’m a versatile player. I can line up anywhere and get after it. I think I can fill in any role,” he said.

Cunningham joins his brother, Parker, to sign with a FBS program. His twin brother committed to James Madison prior to the high school season this past summer.

“It’s been the dream and we achieved it, but we know it’s only the start,” Troy said.

The two brothers were instrumental pieces in the trenches for a South Park team that took home the Class 2A WPIAL Championship.

“It was great,” Cunningham said on winning the first South Park title in 19 years. “Going from a 2-7 team as freshmen to winning a WPIAL championship, not many people thought we would win. It felt amazing.”

The defensive lineman totaled 41 tackles (26 solo), 22 for a loss, 11 sacks and one forced fumble and recovery as a senior. In the postseason semifinals, Cunningham recorded six sacks, which now stands as a school record.

Cunningham joins a Temple program that finished with a 3-9 overall record and a 2-6 mark in the AAC. He now becomes the third WPIAL player of the Temple roster for 2025 with Bethel Park native Anthony Chiccitt, who transferred from Robert Morris, and North Allegheny product Tyree Alualu.

Check out the Hudl highlights of Troy Cunningham here.