Ole Miss Football Spring Practice Report | A look at the newest Rebel wide receivers

OXFORD, Miss. — With another week of Spring practices on the horizon, the Ole Miss football team is comprised of a lot of new faces, specifically with the wide receivers.

“I think the receivers for so many new guys have done a really good job. They’re low ego, low maintenance guys.”

– Lane Kiffin on the receivers room

— Zach Moreth (@ZachMoreth) April 1, 2025

With the departure of one of the top receiving corps in the country last year that featured Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., head coach Lane Kiffin wasted no time acquiring new pieces, and those players have not disappointed.

Here are our thoughts on what we’ve seen so far from the transfers and the freshmen who are early enrollees.

Transfers

Thus far in spring practices, transfers Luke Hasz, De’Zhaun Stribling, Deuce Alexander, Traylon Ray, Caleb Odom, and Harrison Wallace III have all seen first team reps and have continued to prosper in a new environment. With plenty of experience from other schools, these players have seen a great deal of playing time in the practices media has been permitted to watch — and their connection with quarterback Austin Simmons looks strong.

De’Zhaun Stribling

Stribling, a native of Kaolei, Hawaii, is the most experienced of the transfers. A three-star prospect coming out of high school in 2021, he spent his first two years at Washington State, from 2021-2022. There, he led the Cougars in wide receiver snaps his true freshman year and in receiving yards his sophomore year. Joining Ole Miss from Oklahoma State, where he transfefred and spent the last two years, Stribling led the Cowboys with 882 total receiving yards in 2024 and six touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Stribling’s frame will remind Ole Miss fans of Tre Harris, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

Check this out! Simmons (No. 13) hits OK State transfer De’Zhaun Stribling (No. 1) in stride!

Video: @KarisChambliss pic.twitter.com/9pjQVtpnnF

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 18, 2025

Deuce Alexander 

Alexander is looking to contribute a lot this upcoming season. The former Wake Forest player was a four-star transfer prospect originally from Douglasville, Georgia. He was a track runner in high school, winning a county championship his 11th grade year in the 400-meter dash. After only appearing in two games in 2023, Alexander made a big jump with the Demon Deacons in 2024.  Then a redshirt freshman in 2024, he finished the season with 36 catches and 400 receiving yards. He has also been seeing a lot of action with the special teams crew, which has been a big talking point this offseason for Ole Miss.

Caleb Odom

Transfer wide receiver Caleb Odom comes to town from a one-year stint at Alabama where he showed glimpses of greatness. He tallied seven catches for 65 yards in 2024, and the 6-foot-5, 215-pound receiver could be used in a variety of roles within Charlie Weis’ Jr  offense. Odom was recruited heavily coming out of high school by Lane Kiffin, taking multiple visits to Oxford, before ultimately committing to the Crimson Tide. With size and catching abilities, expect him to be a big playmaker for Ole Miss in 2025.

Tight end Luke Hasz

Hasz comes to Oxford from Arkansas with a ton of SEC experience under his belt. Ranked as the No. 2 tight end in the transfer portal, he excelled for the Hogs in 2024, notching 42 receptions, and 577 yards. With former Rebel tight end Caden Prieskorn headed to the NFL, Hasz, and returnee Dae’Quan Wright look to have a strong season.

“He’s a funny guys, great guy. He does some crazy things.” – Wright on Luke Hasz’s personality

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) April 1, 2025

Harrison Wallace III

One of the standouts from Tuesday’s practice was Harrison Wallace III. He’s seen a plethora of throws come his way throughout spring, and with his speed and catching ability he looks like a huge threat not only as a wide receiver. Wallace transferred in from Penn State, where helped lead the Nittany Lions to a playoff berth this past year. One of the standout receivers in the Big Ten last year, Wallace totaled 720 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Traylon Ray

The junior West Virginia transfer, stands out on the field with a 6-foot-1 frame, weighing 195 pounds. Having two years of experience in the Big 12, Ray collected 426 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, averaging an impressive 15.2 yards per catch. It’s anticipated that Ray can play inside at the slot position or as an outside receiver, making him valuable in a variety of unique roles.

Freshmen

Winston “Winnie” Watkins Jr.

Winnie Watkins has looked very quick as a reliable slot option. He’s also taken a lot of reps as a punt returner for the team this spring.

Winnie 🤠

Navy All-American Winston Watkins Jr. (@winstonwatkins_) making plays in Oxford.#HottyToddy#NavyAAB 🇺🇸 @AmericasNavy

pic.twitter.com/DqcrxiuEzZ

— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) March 27, 2025

Dillon Alfred and Samari Reed

Like Watkins, Dillon Alfred and Samari Reed are true freshmen who enrolled early in January. They have each seen time in practice behind the more experienced and older guys. Here’s a quick look at their high school records.

Samari was ranked a four-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports composite rankings. He helped lead Monarch High School (Margate, Fla.) to a regional championship in 2023 and three district championships in his three years. In 2024, he caught 40 passes for 579  yards and four scores. He added 547 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. He also appeared on the defensive side of the ball, reeling in two interceptions and three pass deflections.

Alfred was rated a four-star recruit by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports composite who was a a consensus top-25 recruit out of Alabama. He was listed as high as No. 14 by Rivals, and he helped lead Saraland High School to two consecutive Class 6A title games with one win. He caught 31 passes for 456 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Interestingly, he was a member of Mississippi’s first-team All-State team in 2022 while playing for Gautier High School.

Caleb Cunningham (Summer 2025 enrollee)

Caleb Cunningham, standing 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, is the number one rated prospect from Mississippi in the class of 2025. His commitment to Ole Miss continues a recent spell of the top players in the state coming to play for the Rebels. With Suntarine Perkins (2023) and William Echoles (2024) Cunningham joins a Ole Miss team full of star-studded in-state recruits. Although Cunninham has not yet arrived on campus yet, the buzz around his arrival to the wide receiver room continues to grow.

With all the experienced transfers, the new freshmen who are already on campus, and freshman phenom Caleb Cunningham arriving in the summer, there is a lot to look forward to with the Rebel receivers.

Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for more spring practice reports. Hotty Toddy!