Malik Cunningham Bio
Micale Malik Cunningham is an American professional football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 6, 1998, in Montgomery, Alabama, Cunningham first rose to prominence as a dual-threat quarterback at the University of Louisville before transitioning to wide receiver at the professional level. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 198 pounds, he brings a versatile athletic background to the Lions’ offensive scheme. He began his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since worked his way through three organizations.
Cunningham attended Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama, where he built a reputation as a dynamic playmaker capable of beating defenses with both his arm and his legs. He committed to the University of Louisville to play college football and developed into one of the most productive offensive players in program history. His journey from high school standout to college star to NFL roster hopeful reflects a career built on perseverance and position flexibility.
Early Life and Background
Micale Malik Cunningham was born on October 6, 1998, in Montgomery, Alabama. He grew up in the same Alabama community that would later watch him become one of the city’s most celebrated high school football players. He attended Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, where he quickly emerged as a leader on the football field.
During his Park Crossing career, Cunningham passed for 6,276 yards and 71 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,926 yards and 32 scores. Those numbers highlighted his ability to impact games as both a passer and a runner, a dual-threat skill set that became the foundation of his football identity. His performance drew the attention of college recruiters, and he ultimately committed to the University of Louisville to play college football.
Originally going by his middle name, Malik, before changing to his true first name, Micale, midway through the 2019 season, Cunningham has long navigated football life with a strong sense of personal identity. He later went by Malik again in 2020. That name change marked an important personal moment that coincided with one of the most productive stretches of his college career.
Path to American Football
Cunningham’s path to professional football began with his redshirt year at Louisville in 2017, a season spent learning the system and preparing for his future role. He appeared in 10 games and made three starts in 2018, completing 40 of 67 passes for 473 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing for a team-high 497 yards and five touchdowns. The rushing production foreshadowed the dual-threat identity he would carry for the rest of his career.
His breakout came in 2019, when he completed 111 of 178 passes for 2,065 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions, and added 482 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. That season was capped by his selection as the MVP of the 2019 Music City Bowl, where he passed for 279 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 81 yards. He later added appearances in the 2021 First Responder Bowl and the 2023 Senior Bowl, further raising his profile among NFL scouts.
Malik Cunningham Career
Early Career (2023)
Cunningham was selected in the third round of the 2023 USFL draft by the Birmingham Stallions, but he opted not to play for them during the 2023 USFL season and instead committed to the NFL Draft. After the draft concluded without his name being called, the New England Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster on October 14, 2023, on a three-year contract.
His first Patriots tenure was brief, as he was released on October 24 and signed back to the practice squad the following day. The Baltimore Ravens signed Cunningham off the Patriots’ practice squad on December 12, 2023, reuniting him with his former Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson. The move gave him a fresh start and a familiar face in the locker room heading into the next phase of his career.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2023-2025)
During the Baltimore Ravens’ 2024 organized team activities, Cunningham transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver, a position change that reshaped his professional trajectory. He was released during cuts on August 27, 2024, and signed onto the practice squad the next day to continue developing at his new role. The switch was a significant adjustment but reflected the coaching staff’s belief in his athletic tools.
On January 21, 2025, Cunningham signed a reserve/future contract with the Ravens, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his development. He was ultimately waived by the Ravens at the end of pre-season, closing his Baltimore chapter after nearly two full years with the franchise.
Detroit Lions Era (2025-Present)
On September 16, 2025, Cunningham was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions, where he continues to refine his craft as a wide receiver. On January 5, 2026, he signed a reserve/future contract with Detroit, locking in his place with the organization beyond the current campaign. The Lions have provided him an opportunity to grow within a stable offensive environment.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cunningham’s career came on November 18, 2021, when he posted 527 yards of offense, including 224 rushing yards and 303 passing yards, in a blowout victory against Duke, finishing with five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. He was also named MVP of the 2019 Music City Bowl and participated in the 2023 Senior Bowl, two notable events that helped shape his path to the NFL.
Malik Cunningham Career Wins
As a young professional still establishing himself, Malik Cunningham’s career win totals are limited, with his statistical production as a wide receiver at the NFL level still developing. His most decorated achievements to date remain tied to his college career at Louisville, where he built a strong resume as a starting quarterback.
College and Bowl Highlights
Cunningham’s signature win was his MVP performance in the 2019 Music City Bowl, where he passed for 279 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 81 yards. His 527-yard offensive outburst against Duke in November 2021 stands as one of the most explosive single-game performances in Louisville history. Those moments cemented his place among the most productive Louisville signal-callers of his era.
Other Performances
Beyond his bowl heroics, Cunningham put together a 2019 regular season that featured 2,065 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 482 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. His 2018 campaign, which included a team-high 497 rushing yards, also showed his consistent production as a dual-threat option during his developmental years at Louisville.
Malik Cunningham Family
Personal Life
Cunningham originally went by his middle name, Malik, before changing to his true first name, Micale, midway through the 2019 season. He later returned to using Malik in 2020. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the same community where he attended Park Crossing High School, and he continues to represent that hometown as he pursues his professional career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Malik Cunningham with the Detroit Lions, where he was signed to the practice squad on September 16, 2025. He is working to carve out a role within a competitive Lions wide receiver room while continuing his transition from college quarterback to professional pass-catcher. His reserve/future contract signed on January 5, 2026, indicates the organization views him as part of its long-term plans.
Throughout the season, Cunningham’s focus has been on development, learning the nuances of the wide receiver position and building chemistry with his new coaching staff. His background as a starting quarterback at Louisville gives him a unique understanding of offensive concepts, route timing and coverage recognition, tools that can accelerate his growth at wide receiver. The Lions’ offensive system offers an environment where his athleticism and football intelligence can translate into expanded opportunities.
Looking ahead, Cunningham’s outlook hinges on his ability to stay healthy, continue refining his route-running and special teams contributions, and earn a more permanent spot on the active roster. With his versatility and proven production at the college level, he remains an intriguing developmental piece for Detroit. His journey from Louisville quarterback to Lions wide receiver underscores a career defined by adaptability and perseverance.