From a recruiting aspect, Kalen DeBoer has continued where his predecessor, Nick Saban, left off at Alabama football. Despite Saban’s departure following last year’s college playoff success, the Crimson Tide possesses the nation’s second-best recruiting class. On Saturday, DeBoer added another high prospect: Class of 2025 wide receiver Caleb Cunningham, a five-star recruit from Choctaw High School in Ackerman, Mississippi.
Cunningham raised eyebrows last year as a late-blooming receiving prospect who had a strong junior season. He set a school record with 48 receptions, 1,138 yards, and 14 touchdowns. But his successes don’t end there.
In March, he was named the Starkville Daily News’ All-Area Basketball Player of the Year. According to 24.7 sports, he has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game during three seasons with the Chargers. Cunningham was also a state qualifier for the long jump and triple jump.
Basketball was Cunningham’s first passion, but football is his future. Cunningham, who stands 6-foot-3, has the potential to be an NFL draft pick in the future.
Alabama Football Uses Kalen DeBoer’s WR Reputation
There is enough to be thrilled about with Cunningham, who chose Alabama over Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Mississippi State. According to the combined rankings of 24/7 Sports, he is the second-best wide receiver in the class and the thirteenth-best overall player nationally.
While there was much speculation about where Cunningham would chose to play at the next level, he did reveal his preference for Alabama last month in an interview with WBCI TV.
The combination of Alabama’s reputation as a program and DeBoer’s reputation as a receiver maker—see Rome Odunze (first round to the Bears), Ja’Lynn Polk (second round to the Patriots), and Jalen McMillan (third round to the Bucs) representing the Washington Huskies in the 2024 draft—helped Cunningham get the job done.
“Why not Bama, though? Why wouldn’t you want to be constructed by Alabama? “They have everything you need,” Cunningham added. “For my position, they can get me into the league.” They’ve brought a lot of talented receivers to the NFL.”
Caleb Cunningham an All-Around Athlete
It’s a major win for DeBoer, who succeeded well drawing elite talent to the Pacific Northwest but now has to deal with the knifefights of recruiting in SEC territory. That was a major worry for DeBoer when he took over Alabama football, but Cunningham is now the fourth five-star recruit he has signed in the Class of 2025, joining linebacker Darrell Johnson, quarterback Keelon Russell, and cornerback Dijon Lee.
Cunningham might be a game changer for DeBoer’s team. As his On3 scouting report states:
“Bouncy outside receiver with the potential to be a skilled ballwinner.” He is listed as 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, however this is unsubstantiated. Moves decently for its size. Demonstrates the ability to make contested receptions. Naturally coordinated, able to locate the football at its highest position. Additionally, demonstrates the ability to make defenders miss after the catch.
“Has significant natural talent, but will need to refine his technical skills at the position in the remaining couple years of high school football. Could be more productive.
