He’s the kind of athlete that makes a stadium hold its breath. When Caleb Cunningham stepped onto the field for Choctaw County High School, everyone knew where the ball was going. And it didn’t matter.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver wasn’t just a big fish in a small Mississippi pond. He was the pond. Ranked as a consensus five-star and the top-ranked recruit in the state for the 2025 class, Cunningham represents the "new era" of Rebels football under Lane Kiffin. He isn't just a signee. He’s a statement.
The Flip That Shook the SEC
Recruiting is basically a high-stakes soap opera. For months, it looked like Cunningham was heading to Tuscaloosa. He had been committed to Alabama since July 2024. Most experts figured that was that. You don't usually say "no" to the Crimson Tide once you've said "yes."
Then came November 13, 2024.
The news hit like a bolt of lightning: Caleb Cunningham flipped to Ole Miss. Honestly, it wasn't just about football. It was about Kiffin's relentless "Pro Mindset" pitch and the draw of staying in the Magnolia State. By choosing Oxford over Tuscaloosa, Cunningham became the crown jewel of a 2025 class that signaled Ole Miss wasn't just renting talent from the transfer portal—they were building it from the ground up.
Why Kiffin Wanted Him So Badly
It’s not just the height. It’s the twitch. Cunningham has a basketball background—he was a literal double-double machine on the court—and you see it in the way he high-points the football. He doesn't just catch passes; he attacks them.
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- Verticality: He played five positions in high school basketball (PG to C). That bounce translates to a massive catch radius.
- Run-After-Catch: Once he gets those long strides rolling, he’s a nightmare to bring down in the open field.
- Production: As a senior at Choctaw County, he hauled in 42 passes for 877 yards and 13 touchdowns. That's a staggering 20.9 yards per catch.
Transitioning to the SEC Speed
The jump from small-town Mississippi high school ball to the SEC is a mountain. Most kids need a year to just learn how to eat and lift like a pro. Cunningham, however, arrived in Oxford with the frame of a grown man. Weighing in at over 200 pounds as a true freshman, he didn't need the typical "redshirt and gain 20 pounds" program.
Wait, he did redshirt.
Actually, the 2025 season was a bit of a learning curve for the young star. While he saw limited action—recording a 19-yard reception against The Citadel—the Rebels' staff chose to preserve his eligibility. It’s a move that felt frustrating for fans who wanted to see him burning secondaries immediately, but it was a calculated play. With veterans like De'Zaughn Stribling and Harrison Wallace III leading the room in '25, Caleb spent his time in the lab.
He’s currently listed as a redshirt freshman for the 2026 season. And the hype? It’s only grown.
The 2026 Outlook in Oxford
The wide receiver room in Oxford is currently undergoing a massive facelift. With several key departures, the door has swung wide open for the "Young Three"—Caleb Cunningham, Caleb Odom, and Deuce Alexander.
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Expectations are high. Ridiculously high.
Lane Kiffin’s offense thrives on "explosives." If you can't beat your man one-on-one, you don't play. Cunningham’s ability to mix gears and use that "hesi" step he perfected on the basketball court makes him a natural fit for the "X" receiver spot. He’s the guy who can take a five-yard hitch and turn it into a 60-yard highlight reel because he refuses to be tackled by the first defender.
What People Get Wrong About His Game
A lot of people look at a 5-star recruit and assume they’re a finished product. They aren't.
Scouts have pointed out that Cunningham needs to sharpen his route running. In high school, he could basically just "out-athlete" everyone. You can't do that against a Georgia or Texas cornerback. They’re just as fast as you are.
He’s also been challenged on his blocking. Kiffin is notorious for demanding that his receivers be physical in the run game. If you don't block, you don't get the rock. Reports from spring practice suggest Cunningham has taken that to heart, showing a much higher "buy-in" on the gritty side of the position.
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The NIL Factor and the Modern Athlete
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness).
Caleb Cunningham is a massive brand in Mississippi. He’s a local hero. His NIL profile on platforms like Opendorse shows he’s one of the most marketable athletes in the program. This isn't just about jerseys and autographs. It's about a kid from Weir, Mississippi, becoming the face of the state's flagship university.
The pressure is immense. But if you watch him interact with fans or see his "cool under fire" demeanor on the sidelines, he seems built for it. He’s not a diva. He’s a worker.
What’s Next for Caleb Cunningham?
If you’re a Rebels fan, the 2026 season is the one you've circled on the calendar. This is the year the training wheels come off. With 5-star QB Deuce Knight also in the fold, the potential for a "Deuce-to-Caleb" connection is enough to keep SEC defensive coordinators up at night.
Keep an eye on the following:
- Spring Ball Performance: Watch for reports on his chemistry with the starting quarterback. If he’s winning the 50/50 balls in April, he’s starting in September.
- Special Teams: Don’t be surprised if Kiffin uses his athleticism on kickoff returns early in the season to get him touches.
- Physical Growth: If he cracks 215 pounds while maintaining his 4.4-4.5 speed, he becomes an NFL-caliber prospect before he even starts his first full season.
Caleb Cunningham chose to stay home. He chose to lead a movement. Now, it’s just about the work. The talent is there. The stage is set. Oxford is waiting.
To stay ahead of the curve on Cunningham’s development, keep a close watch on the official Ole Miss depth charts as we approach the A-Day spring game. That’s where the real pecking order for 2026 will finally be revealed.