TIFFIN, Ohio – It was a bittersweet moment for Keyshawn Cunningham and the Heidelberg Student Princes on Saturday (Nov. 16).
Held at Hoernemann Stadium, the graduate senior cornerback posted a season-high six tackles and one pass breakup in a 14-10 home loss to the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets.
As a result of this outcome, Heidelberg would end the 2024 season with a 5-5 overall record and 4-5 final record in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
To close out his collegiate football career on the NCAA Division III level, Cunningham finished his 10-game campaign with the following statistics:
•34 total tackles
•2 tackles for loss
•3 pass breakups
•6 kickoff returns for 134 yards
•1 touchdown
Right after the final buzzer, Heidelberg and Baldwin Wallace (7-3 final record; 6-3 in OAC) shook hands and parted ways as they huddled up and recapped the game’s outcome. And after Heidelberg broke off as a team for the last time this season, the seniors were headed to a special ceremony with their families.
Cunningham was one of several Golden Prince seniors who got the opportunity to share his appreciation for everyone in his college football journey and beyond. This includes head coach Scott Donaldson, who has been quite instrumental in his growth over the past five years.
Watch the footage right below to hear the West Palm Beach (Fla.) native’s words.
Dimitri Penick, a former college football teammate of Cunningham, spoke on the level of impact that he has had on the program and more.
“I think Key has had a tremendous impact, especially to those who have been his teammates for a few years,” said Penick, a Dwyer (Fla.) High School alum who played for Heidelberg from 2017 to 2022. “He’s the definition of, “It’s not where you start, but where you finish.” I believe he has also been a positive impact in just how he works every day. If there’s one thing you don’t have to worry about with Key, is if he is giving his 100 percent every day.”
Cunningham has completed five seasons of play for Heidelberg, as the Forest Hill (Fla.) High School alum started his collegiate career in 2020 and ended it this year in 2024. His final statistics from all five years with the Student Princes are:
•41 games played
•115 total tackles
•11.5 tackles for loss
•26 pass breakups
•8 interceptions
•2 sacks
•2 fumble recoveries
•1 forced fumble
•7 kickoff returns for 157 yards (long of 54 yards)
•3 touchdowns
“Key has been great for Heidelberg’s culture, especially regarding being coachable,” Penick said. “He has improved every year in areas that coaches have discussed with him in exit meetings, and that’s all you can ask for from anyone. Constant improvement. I’m thankful I’m able to have him as a brother and to have been fortunate enough to be his teammate. He’s a great player but better person.”
There have been many honors bestowed upon Cunningham throughout his college football career. But here are the top three for the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Heidelberg legend:
•NCAA Division III Third-Team All-American (2023 season)
•D3football.com Preseason All-American (2024 season)
•Siggy Award: Mr. Heidelberg for Male Athlete of the Year (2024)
Jalen Sime, who is a freshman offensive lineman for Heidelberg, shared his own sentiments about Cunningham’s overall impact on the program.
“Key is a great person to get to know,” said Sime, who is a Somerset Academy Canyons (Fla.) Charter School alum from the Class of 2024. “Although he might not show it all the time, he wants the best out of you all the time. On the field, Key is a great player. He can lock your best wide receiver, he can read the play very well, and he brings the best out of the defense. At Heidelberg, he has changed the culture and has shown what a corner should be. He has shown what a leader should have in him. Just look at his accomplishments and how he has performed on the field.”
Also sharing in the love for Cunningham is Reggie Workman, who was a high school football teammate of his at one point with Forest Hill and at Heidelberg.
“Key’s level of impact the last four years at Heidelberg has completely changed the program in all aspects, especially culture,” said Workman, who graduated from The King’s Academy School in 2024 and played for Heidelberg at points in this 2024 season. “When it comes to Forest Hill, he is a guy that I believe can always go back and help out as he helped the football program build up to the point to where when I was there we were able to win a championship with ease. He is a big role model for me because of the way he carries himself, prepares himself for anything, performs with full effort all the time and puts God first in everything he does.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Heidelberg Football
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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