The most critical position that can change a team's good fortunes is the quarterback. When senior signal caller Billy Cundiff arrived at Division II's Ashland University out of the GLIAC Conference, the team was enhanced ten-fold.

Cundiff's natural field general abilities are the primary reasons for the Eagles' amazing turnaround. First off is the power and accuracy with which Cundiff can deliver the ball. He has good mobility and makes good decisions.

He never gets too high or too low during the ebb and flow of the game. He maintains an even level as all great leaders do. There is a calmness in his football approach.

When he is chased out of the pocket, Cundiff keeps his eyes locked on his target while maintaining his agility and precision in delivering the ball down field.

He has been through four different offensive coordinators in the four years that he's been attending Ashland. Cundiff has adjusted well to the difficult transition from year to year. He believes that each coach brings a unique teaching tool to help develop and teach the players to win.

Cundiff already has a Degree in Finance and is currently working on his MBA. Entering his fourth year at Ashland, he led the Eagles to an 8-2 second place finish in the GLIAC and 9-4 overall with only 15 interceptions in that span of time. Two years ago he led the country with the fewest interceptions in college football.

He has also led the Eagles to the playoffs the past two seasons for only the third and fourth time in school history. He advanced the Eagles into the second round of the playoffs last season after defeating Minnesota State.

Naturally one of his goals this season is to lead the team to capture the GLIAC title.


Numbers to Know

Cundiff has set most of the passing records at Ashland. With 279 completions and with 414 attempts in 2008 (both team records), Cundiff had a 67.4% completion percentage, with 3,776 yards (team record), 37 TD's in a season (team record), 8 INT in 2008.

Most touchdown passes in a game: 5, Billy Cundiff vs. Michigan Tech (2008) Billy Cundiff vs. Wayne State (2007). The following are also all team records.

Most TD's in a career: 55, (2006-08)
Most total offense in a game: 434, vs. Michigan Tech (2008)
Most total offense in a season: 4,048 (2008)
Most total offense in a career: 6,877 (2006-08)
Most passes completed in a game: 35, Billy Cundiff vs. Indianapolis (2008)
Most passes completed in a career: 447, Billy Cundiff (2006-2008)
Most passing yardage: 6,490, Billy Cundiff (2006-08)


Measurables

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220


Accolades

Cundiff was a first team All-America by the American Football Coaches of America (AFCA) and was named the 2008 GLIAC player of the year.  This marked the second consecutive season AU had a first team All-America selection.

Cundiff is a 2009 preseason All-America.

Cundiff was the 2008 GLIAC player of the year and was named a first team All-America

He has been named a preseason All-America by Consensus Draft Services (first team) and The Sporting News.


The Buzz

Head Coach Lee Owens:

"We're not always real objective, but we think he's the best player in Division II college football."

On using a pro style offense-

"Growing up in Ohio and coaching at Massillon and Ohio State, I've still got some Paul Brown roots [inside] myself. We're always going to have a big old fullback as part of our offense. It's kind of a dying breed out there, so [it helps you] be physical and you can run the football and it also helps Billy throw the ball down the field better because there's a threat of a down-hill running game."

Quarterback Billy Cundiff:

On calling signals at the line of scrimmage-

"He [Coach Owens] calls the plays and we'll get over the ball and he'll signal something in. The protections on me, I'll call the protections at the line."


Glatzer's Loop

Cundiff is a winner, bottom line. He changes the complexion of the game and his teammates will follow his lead. It's hard to argue with his arm strength and his uncanny knack of reading defenses. He has developed nice rhythms, going through his progressions on routes and finding his open receivers and getting them the ball.

He's patient in the pocket as Ashland runs a pro style offense, and make no mistake about it, Cundiff is a pure pocket passer. He will stand tall and deliver the ball before getting punished by defenders.

He has the ability to throw accurately on the run.


Draft Outlook

He's got a great release. This is a smart quarterback. He's a great competitor and a winner. He doesn't allow his emotions to get the best of him. He's a cool customer. Cundiff is a successful quarterback and a great prospect and it doesn't matter that he's coming out of a Division II school.

This kid has all the intangibles that coaches love and has scouts beginning to attend Eagles' practices to observe how he develops and refines his skill sets.

What matters is that he is a winner that has the ability to lead a team to winning records.