Transfer WR Caleb Odom Opens Up on Choosing Ole Miss Over Alabama After Saban’s Departure: ‘I wanted to be somewhere I felt wanted and needed…’
OXFORD, Miss. – Dating back to his time in high school, Ole Miss wide receiver Caleb Odom has experienced quite the recruiting journey as he transferred to Ole Miss this winter after spending one season at Alabama. Despite Lane Kiffin’s recruitment efforts, Odom signed out of high school with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide to join the No. 2 overall 2024 class in the country.
What Caleb couldn’t have known at the time was that a month later after closing he closed his recruitment, the seven-time national champion head coach of Alabama would announce his retirement and shock the college football world. After remaining in Tuscaloosa and playing under an entirely new coaching staff for his freshman season, Odom offered a firsthand look at his unique experience last fall.
“It was definitely kind of crazy having Coach Saban in my house two weeks before the bowl game and then a month later him retiring, but I think what Coach DeBoer and they are doing up there is going to be really good. I have nothing but love for Alabama, I think they’re going to be really good. It was crazy times having to adjust to all of the coaching changes, but they helped me develop really well.”
– Odom on his time at Alabama
“I wanted to be somewhere I felt wanted and needed and felt comfortable.” – Caleb Odom on his decision to transfer from Alabama to Ole Miss pic.twitter.com/pStQfHLoJO
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) April 8, 2025
Despite not rocking with the red and blue his freshman year, when Odom hit the portal, the decision seemed to come easily when he got in contact with the Rebel staff.
“I think ultimately I wanted to be somewhere I felt wanted and needed and felt comfortable. Having a relationship with Ole Miss out of high school, it made sense for me to go back up here and get to know Coach McDonald and get back up here to see Coach Kiffin and talk to them.”
– Odom on committing to Ole Miss in the portal
In addition to Odom, Kiffin and the offensive staff recruited four other receivers to replace the incredible talents of Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, Caden Prieskorn, and Juice Wells, among others, who all hope to hear their names called in the upcoming NFL Draft.
With the influx of transfers, some might think building relationships and developing chemistry could be difficult, but according to Caleb, the Rebels’ receiver room has done a fantastic job establishing relationships with one another.
“I’ve really adjusted well with all of those guys. Traylon Ray from West Virginia—that’s my best friend. Me and (De’Zhaun) Stribling hang out all the time, Trey Wallace, Deuce (Alexander), I’m all cool with those guys and guys like Winnie Watkins and Cayden Lee, it’s like a big family in the receiver room right now.“
– Odom on the chemistry in the receiver room
Another unfamiliar face for Odom coming to Oxford was Austin Simmons, the new starting quarterback for Ole Miss. From what we’ve seen in practice, it’s clear Simmons and Odom have a strong sense of trust on the field, especially in the downfield passing game. On top of their bond, Caleb described the impressive arm strength of his new gunslinger.
Caleb Odom is going to be a problem at Ole Miss 👀
pic.twitter.com/jkQ98Ir4oi— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) March 21, 2025
“I think we have a great relationship. I think Austin is a really cool guy. We all have a similar mindset of wanting to get better every day, and I think playing with him, a lefty, he has a lot of zip on it. I think he can really sling it, so obviously it’s very beneficial to play with him.”
– Odom on playing with Austin Simmons
Moving forward, Ole Miss spring practices are winding down with Meet the Rebels set for this Saturday. We will have one more media viewing next Tuesday, so look for our practice report on that. And as always, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all the portal and all Rebel sports updates. Hotty Toddy!
