Cold Summer Reception: Five-star Caleb Cunningham commits to Alabama
Caleb Cunningham, the No. 2 wide receiver per the On3 Industry Player Rankings, announced his commitment to the University of Alabama on Saturday. Cunningham revealed the decision after taking an official visit with the Crimson Tide June 21-23. He had previously announced a top six while also indicating Coach Kalen DeBoer’s new program had moved to the front of the pack.
Cunningham took official visits to Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Tennessee. He also took an unofficial visit to Ole Miss in early June. Those five schools, along with Mississippi State, were in consideration. Auburn and Florida were considered co-leaders prior to his trip to Tuscaloosa, his second since the arrival of the new staff.
“Oh man, Bama is No. 1. They’re No. 1, for sure,” Cunningham told BamaOnLine after his official visit. “Why not Bama? They have the resources that I need. It’s a great place for me to be developed, to get to the next level for my position as a receiver. They’re going to develop.”
Alabama Offensive Big Board 3.0: Where things currently stand in the Tide’s class (BOL members only)
Alabama made an early impression
The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder was re-offered by Alabama January 24. He included the Tide in an initial Top 12 (1/29). Cunningham noted he did not intend to include UA as a finalist until meeting with Alabama wide receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard. He traveled to Tuscaloosa March 23 saying, “I didn’t even want to leave.”
Almost two months later Cunningham returned, and now he’s on the commitment board.
“It’s going to be a new era,” he previously told BOL. “With Coach Saban leaving, people don’t think Bama football is going to be the same, but Bama football is still going to be popping. Coach DeBoer, he’s a great coach. I really and truly feel like he can fill those shoes of Coach Saban.”
Alabama has 21 commitments in its 2025 class which currently ranks No. 2 (Best in the SEC) according to the On3 Sports Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Cunningham is the second wide receiver commitment and joining another fellow Top 100 member, Lotzeir Brooks (Millville, N.J.).
View Alabama’s updated commitment list- HERE
The Crimson Tide also remains heavily involved with five-star WR Kaliq Lockett (Sachse, Texas) and Derek Meadows (Las Vegas-Bishop Gorman). Meadows was scheduled to announce a decision today, but he has pushed the announcement to July 20. Alabama, LSU and Notre Dame are in contention. Lockett will commit on August 7. Alabama and Texas are considered the top two.
Cunningham caught 48 passes for 1,138 yards (23.1 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns during his junior season.
It’s been a cold, cold summer
‘How they turn a top dog to an underdog’. The first verse in the Fabolous song ‘Cold Summer’ (Alabama’s theme song on the recruiting front) has been a storyline during the last 40+ days. The UA program has gone from many outsiders celebrating Nick Saban’s retirement to quickly realizing this powerhouse isn’t going anywhere when it comes to securing the nation’s best recruits.
You can imagine the excitement of five-star QB, and UA commitment Keelon Russell (Elite 11 MVP) has after the announcement of a five-star receiver to the Crimson Tide’s class. Alabama has received 12 commitments since early June, and far from finished.
Alabama is currently trending for five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood (Denton, Texas-Ryan) and No. 2 RB AK Dear (Quitman, Miss.). A decision from one of these players can push the Tide to the No. 1 class in the country. It’s something which seemed unattainable six months ago.
Nick Saban received the ‘Icon’ award at the ESPYs on Thursday evening which was a no-brainer. SEC Network reporter Peter Burns said on Friday morning, however, Alabama is in “better spot moving forward’ with Kalen DeBoer replacing Coach Saban.
This UA staff has zero chill on the recruiting trail. The cold summer continues in Tuscaloosa.
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