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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Cunningham on Preseason Watch List for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award
8/26/2026 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced their preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Wednesday, naming Ole Miss wide receiver Caleb Cunningham to the 37-member list.
One of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school, Cunningham came to Ole Miss as a five-star prospect according to 247Sports and On3 industry rankings. He was ranked as the No. 21 overall recruit in his class and No. 2 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN, and was the top player coming out of Mississippi according to ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports.
Cunningham saw action in three games during 2025 with Ole Miss, grabbing one reception for 19 yards.
The list will be narrowed down to 14 semifinalists on November 4, with the five finalists being unveiled on December 2. The winner of the 2026 award will be announced on December 28, with the award being presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
One of the nation's top recruits coming out of high school, Cunningham came to Ole Miss as a five-star prospect according to 247Sports and On3 industry rankings. He was ranked as the No. 21 overall recruit in his class and No. 2 wide receiver in the nation by ESPN, and was the top player coming out of Mississippi according to ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports.
Cunningham saw action in three games during 2025 with Ole Miss, grabbing one reception for 19 yards.
The list will be narrowed down to 14 semifinalists on November 4, with the five finalists being unveiled on December 2. The winner of the 2026 award will be announced on December 28, with the award being presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
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