SWAC Football: Marcus Cushnie transfers to the Big Ten
By Dante Pryor
Alabama A&M defensive end Marcus Cushnie joins the Purdue Boilermakers as a graduate transfer.
The Purdue Boilermakers added their 11th transfer this offseason, Alabama A&M Bulldogs’ defensive end/outside linebacker Marcus Cushnie. The addition of Cushnie pairs well with talented pass rusher George Karlaftis, giving the Boilers a formidable pass-rush tandem.
The only pass-rusher more dominant than Cushnie this spring was SWAC defensive player of the year, Jordan Lewis. Cushnie was second to Lewis in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss. Cushnie joins fellow SWAC football standouts Harry Ballard (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and Qwynterio Cole (Alcorn State) moving from HBCUs to the FBS.
Cushnie’s spring was a follow-up to an outstanding sophomore year where he tallied 13 tackles for loss, including seven sacks and 27 total tackles. Cushnie’s best game was perhaps his last in a Bulldogs’ uniform.
The Florida native tallied 12 tackles and two sacks in the SWAC Championship game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, leading A&M to the conference title.
What Purdue gets in Marcus Cushnie
Expect Cushnie to split time between the “Leo” linebacker and defensive end position while in West Lafayette.
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Though the Leo is a hybrid position and Purdue runs a multiple front defense, expect Cushnie to have his hand in the dirt on obvious passing downs when the Boilers play nickel or dime defense.
Cushnie plays a lot like David Pollack, 2004 SEC defensive player of the year at Georgia. Undersized for a pure defensive end (6-foot-2 and 220 pounds) Cushnie has a non-stop motor. Cushnie is a play through the whistle sort of player who is relentless on every snap.
Cushnie is a versatile defensive player who will drop anchor and hold up against the run with the ability to drop into coverage if asked to do so.
One intangible aspect of Cushnie’s game is his brain. A graduate transfer with two years of eligibility, Cushnie takes a cerebral approach to the game. Also, Cushnie brings a championship pedigree to the Boilermakers coming off of a conference championship.