Upon arriving at Virginia, head coach Al Groh wasted no time putting the school on the recruiting map. With names like Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham, Wali Lundy and Michael Johnson highlighting his 2002 list of signees, that class has overshadowed more recent classes.
However, the 2003 class landed Groh a quintet of offensive linemen in Marshal Ausberry, Jordy Lipsey, Eddie Pinigis, Gordon Sammis and Ian-Yates Cunningham that made U.Va. a perennial power on the line for years to come. All five of these players have established themselves on the depth chart, but none are satisfied in their primarily backup roles.
Among the five, Cunningham, a sophomore, is anxious to expand his function on the team and stabilize an injury-riddled offensive line.
"I wanted to come and demonstrate another level of my game," Cunningham said. "I have been working hard. It is one of those things that, each game, you have to get better, and you have to keep on working hard."
A four-star recruit out of Plano, Texas, Cunningham came to the Cavaliers with much fanfare. In high school, he was a four-year starter and was consistently listed among the top offensive linemen in the country.
His early career at Virginia was successful as well. He started the season as a backup but worked his way into the starting lineup at left guard for the final five games of the 2003 season.
With Cunningham at guard, the Cavaliers offensive production increased by over three points a game against much stiffer competition. His work on the line earned him ACC All-Freshman honors and an Honorable Mention on the Freshman All-American team.
In the off-season, though, Cunningham hit a major setback when he underwent back surgery. The procedure forced him to miss the entire 2004 season and left him to play catch-up on the depth chart.
"When you are coming back from injury, you realize that you are working out some of the kinks," Cunningham said. "You are at a Division I school, and there are going to be players better than you. So, you are going to have to come in ready to perform, and that is what I am going to have to keep on doing right now. You can't just be satisfied."
Entering the season, Virginia's line was supposed to be one of its strong points. Unfortunately it has been plagued by injuries, forcing non-starters to step up. Cunningham has filled in very well as a backup to several positions on the line. With Ausberry unable to play against Temple, Cunningham earned his first start of the season.
Against the Owls, Virginia put together one of its most successful rushing days of the season with 262 yards, despite injuries to backs Johnson and Cedric Peerman.
Cunningham played well on an offensive line that has struggled to find cohesion this season, despite the veteran presence of D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brad Butler.
Cunningham's play last Saturday was indicative of the entire season for the Cavalier offensive line, which has faced attrition at nearly every position but has managed to find an effective player to fill each spot.
The Cavaliers now enter the toughest stretch of their season and desperately need to finish strong in order to make a bowl game.
"We have to be ready to face our challenge next week, which is going to be a bigger one," Groh said.
The rollercoaster season has left few certainties, but injuries on the offensive line seem a constant.
Cunningham is projected to start this Saturday against Georgia Tech, but, even if he goes back to second on the depth charts, his role will not diminish as he and the rest of that 2003 quintet will be needed elsewhere.
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