Five-Star Alabama Commit Caleb Cunningham Returns to Ole Miss for Season Opener
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football kicks off its long-awaited 2024 season this Saturday in Vaught-Hemingway. It should come as no surprise that this begins another key opportunity for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels to amp up their momentum on the recruiting trail. There will be plenty of playmakers in Oxford this weekend — including 5-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, an Alabama commit.
It is no secret that despite Cunningham’s commit to the Crimson Tide, the Rebels continue to let the Choctaw Co. Mississippi native know he is still a high priority and giving him food for thought as to why the No. 1 player in the ‘Sip should remain in the ‘Sip.
Cunningham was was last in Oxford during Juice Fest and returns this weekend for the season opener. It appears that while he remains committed to Alabama, Ole Miss remains on his mind. Despite the commit, it sure looks like this could be a photo finish between these two SEC programs for this elite talent.
Building the Foundation
His elite natural athletic ability on the football field and on the hardwood have separated him from the pack in the class of 2025.
As a freshman, Cunningham totaled 569 receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 31 catches. As a sophomore, his impressive athletic skillset made him a standout on both sides of the ball where he caught 45 passes for 443 yards and 6 touchdowns.
In 2023, during his junior season, he set the record at Choctaw County with 48 catches for 1,138 yards and 14 TD.
Cunningham will look to create even more magic during his final season at Choctaw, and it starts this Friday under the lights as he heads on the road to face Parklane Academy. Kick-off from McComb is at 7 PM CST.
Degrees of Separation
Cunningham’s gifts on the football field not only stem from his devotion to the game, but also his hard work as a multi-sport athlete. He not only has made a name for himself on the football circuit, but he is quite the basketball player. Last season, Cunningham was named the Starkville Daily News All Area High School Basketball Player of the Year, helping lead his team to a district title.
He has scored well over 1,500 career points, averaging 18.4. points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game and 2.4 steals per game, to date, from his freshman to his junior season.
I be trying to tear them goals down 😂🔨 pic.twitter.com/YSOqxWQbU2
— Caleb Cunningham ✝️ (@calebcunning13) December 8, 2022
Cunningham’s athleticism is just elite, plain and simple, and it is no wonder teams — including Ole Miss — will continue to keep going hard to get him back home.
In case you needed a reminder, these are some of the things that you have to love about him when you watch him play.
Five-star @calebcunning13 doing what five stars do!
Big YAM Cunningham! pic.twitter.com/HTWRerzBBX
— Rion (Ree-un) Young (@MacCorleone74) August 24, 2024
Caleb Cunningham (@calebcunning13) , the uncommitted 5 ⭐️WR phenom from Choctaw County, combines blazing speed and unmatched versatility, achieving an IGA score of 89.5 matched with a max speed of 20.3 🔥#ReelSpeed #IGAScore
🔗 https://t.co/IKk5DVUWoB pic.twitter.com/M92BUFf3HZ
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) June 4, 2024
Some of Cunningham’s traits that sit him atop the nation’s best are:
- The ability to separate with power and speed using his frame as a shield
- Physical ability off the charts
- Strong ability to break tackles and create yards after catch
- Speedy feet
- When it comes to the redzone territory, Caleb is the guy you want, especially with his ability to catch the ball at its highest point.
We look forward to sharing more about Cunningham and his visit this weekend. Hotty Toddy!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
