Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide land commitment from 'unstoppable' 5-star WR recruit over Ole Miss, Tennessee

The recruiting cycle never really ends for top programs across college football. The Alabama Crimson Tide continues to add premier playmakers even in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement. New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer added 2025 5-star WR Caleb Cunningham to the Tide.

Cunningham had earned heavy interest from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, and Mississippi State. However, his relationship with primary recruiter and WR coach JaMarcus Shephard and DeBoer secured his commitment.

Beyond being a 5-star receiver, ranked 22nd overall, and as the third receiver by 247Sports, Cunningham has quite the scouting report.

Cunningham has become the 21st commit for Kalen DeBoer’s program in the 2025 recruiting class. During his junior year, he managed an impressive average of 23.7 yards per reception across 12 games, totaling 48 catches for 1,138 yards and 14 touchdowns.

247Sports scouting analyst had this to say about Cunningham's game:

"Translates body control and bounce to ball-winning mismatch effectiveness at wideout. Unstoppable in red-zone situations. Strong-handed in traffic. Runs hard in run-after-catch situations and bowls his way through arm tackles. … Natural route sense and spatial awareness."

The term "unstoppable" is especially interesting for a bigger-bodied, 6-foot-1, 190-pounder. He alluded to his desire to play in DeBoer's exciting offense and pair with 2025 QB recruit Keelon Russell.

"Having that great quarterback and I think 'Bama is a great fit for me because Keelon Russell,"

"Alabama made a huge jump. Like why not go to 'Bama? 'Bama is 'Bama and it's a great place to be. I had a great weekend. (The coaches) showed me why I should be there. It made me feel like I was at home. They can develop me like getting stronger and faster. Built by 'Bama, why not be built by 'Bama, you know? They got all the resources that I need and they are going to get guys to the league. I love the coaches and it's a brotherhood there."

Cunningham is the second receiver joining the Crimson Tide in the 2025 recruiting process. The Mississippi native seems completely locked in with Alabama based on his comments at the time of his commitment, so his career will be fun to follow.