Malik Cunningham Heisman Odds: Louisville Dual-Threat QB is Heisman Dark Horse

Malik Cunningham Heisman Odds: Louisville Dual-Threat QB is Heisman Dark Horse
Fact Checked by Nate Hamilton

He might not be enjoying the Heisman Trophy hype of a Lamar Jackson or Teddy Bridgewater, but Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham is quietly one of the dark horses for college football’s most coveted individual honors. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Cunningham currently owns +6000 odds to win the Heisman.

Malik Cunningham Odds to Win Heisman Trophy

Outside of the ACC, many may not know much about Malik Cunningham. One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, Cunningham has minimized miscues and made plays with both his arm and legs. Last season, Cunningham accounted for 39 total touchdowns, including 20 rushing – good for fourth nationally.

CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State+220
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama+400
Caleb Williams, QB, USC+700
Will Anderson, LB, Alabama+1600
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State+2200
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas+2200
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State+2500
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma+3000
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama+3000
Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami (Fl.)+3500
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas+3500
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida+4000
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee+4000
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson+4500
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky+5000
Devin Leary, QB, NC State+5000
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina+5500
Haynes King, QB, Texas A&M+5500
Cameron Rising, QB, Utah+6000
⭐️ Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville+6000

Last season, Cunningham accounted for 39 total touchdowns, including 20 rushing – good for fourth nationally. With 1,031 yards rushing last season, Cunningham became just the 14th rusher in Louisville history to go over 1,000 yards and joined Lamar Jackson as the only quarterbacks in program history to do so. Nationally, no quarterback rushed for more yards.

Malik Cunningham’s ability to run has also opened up the big play in the passing game. Last season, the Cardinals ranked third in the country with four passing plays covering at least 70 yards.

Cunningham and Louisville will have to account for the losses of Jordan Watkins and Tyler Harrell, who have each transferred to SEC schools. Fortunately, he will have one of the ACC’s most reliable tight ends in Marshon Ford and Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, who caught four touchdowns last season, including one covering 93 yards – Louisville’s longest play of the year. 

Malik Cunningham NFL Draft First Overall Odds

Malik Cunningham currently holds +4000 odds to be selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. 

⭐️ CJ Stroud, Quarterback+200
Bryce Young, Quarterback+225
Will Anderson, Linebacker+330
Paris Johnson, O-Lineman+1000
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver+1500
Phil Jurkovec, Quarterback+1500
Will Levis, Quarterback+1500
Tyler Van Dyke, Quarterback+1800
Spencer Rattler, Quarterback+2000
Anthony Richardson, Quarterback+2500

At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds with a cannon for an arm, Cunningham has all the attributes that would attract an NFL scout. While solid as a passer, Cunningham has arguably been a bigger threat as a runner during his time with the Cardinals. 

Things to Know About Malik Cunningham

As a high school prosect, Malik Cunningham was just a three-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He ranked outside the top 500 nationally. Despite rushing for more than 1,000 yards in 2021 and accounting for 39 total touchdowns, Cunningham did not make the All-ACC team nor was he honorable mention. Early in his Louisville career, Cunningham went by Micale Cunningham.

📸 Nov 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs with the ball during the 1st half of the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Who Are Malik Cunningham’s Parents?

Malik Cunningham’s parents are Michael Cunningham and Stacy Skanes

Where Did Malik Cunningham Go to High School?

Malik Cunningham attended Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama. Cunningham was named the Public School Player of the Year by the Montgomery Quarterback Club and was among seven finalists to be named Mr. Football in the state of Alabama.

Where is Malik Cunningham From?

Malik Cunningham is from Montgomery, Alabama. As a recruit from Park Crossing High School, he was ranked as the 24th-best player in Alabama, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Stats

Entering his final season, Cunningham has more than 10,700 total yards for his career and 99 total touchdowns. Cunningham set career-highs for rushing and passing yards last season and he accounted for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 total touchdowns. 

Malik Cunningham FAQs

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Author

Mike Ferguson is a college football betting analyst for BetKentucky.com. Mike spends his days browsing the latest lines for all the top college football betting markets to find storylines curated specifically for sports bettors in Kentucky. From time-to-time Mike will also turn his attention to NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL betting lines that Kentucky sports bettors might be interested in but college football odds are Mike's expertise.

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