There are two ends to any depth chart. At the top, there is playing time, potential stardom and the accolades that follow.

On the other end, cheerleading is the prime pursuit while standing on the sidelines hoping for chance to crack the starting lineup.

Jermaine Cunningham is familiar with both roles. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end has received a mountain of scholarship offers based on his play at Stephenson High School.

Things weren’t always so grand.

"When I was back in fifth and sixth grade, I played for the park and didn’t play too much," said the Stone Mountain, Ga., star. "I used to just watch them play. I never wanted to be in that position. I wanted to use my work ethic to be the best in the group."

That work ethic has paid dividends for Cunningham as he has exploded into a top-notch college prospect.

Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell said Cunningham racked up 25 sacks over his last two seasons and 26 tackles for a loss as a junior. As for his training, Gartrell said Cunningham posted a time of 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench presses around 300, squats about 425, and power cleans about 255.

College coaches have noticed. Cunningham is evaluating 11 schools, including Tennessee, among nearly 20 scholarship offers he has received. Still, the sideline motivation born years ago is still present.

"I don’t want to be in that position again," he said of sitting the bench. "It’s not too much fun watching your teammates play and you’re not playing."

Cunningham isn’t limited to schools in the general vicinity. Having moved to Georgia from New York City when he was 10 years old, he said he would be comfortable in new surroundings.

"That wouldn’t matter how far it is," Cunningham said. "It’s how the school fits me. If the school fits me, I’ll go."

Cunningham is considering several SEC schools as well as Oklahoma, Michigan, and Oregon. His brother plays football at Western Georgia.

Cunningham is one of four prospects that UT is heavily pursuing from Stephenson. Cunningham said he is friends with the other prospects but doesn’t think those relationships will play a significant role in his college decision.

"If it boils down to we have the same interests and we end up at the same school I wouldn’t mind," he said.

Cunningham still has a lot to learn about UT in this early stage of recruiting, but given his willingness to leave Georgia and his playmaking ability, he will likely become a top priority in Knoxville.

"I’m not too familiar with the school but football wise I know Tennessee and have seen what they have accomplished," Cunningham said. "They’ve got a good program and they have a pretty good coaching staff.

Cunningham said team chemistry is one of the most important factors in his college decision.

Gartrell said Cunningham has scored a 960 on the SAT and a 2.3 grade point average making him a likely qualifier with a little hard work. That wouldn’t seem to be an issue for Cunningham.

"His hard work, discipline, dedication and desire are the reasons why he’s such an outstanding player," Gartrell said. When the ball is snapped, he plays as hard as anyone you want to see play."