Texas looking to improve position with 5-star WR Caleb Cunningham
At the end of January, Ackerman (Miss.) Choctaw County five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham announced that he was down to 12 schools.
It’s been a busy 2024 for the skilled pass-catcher, as he’s taken a plethora of spring visits as he works to whittle that list down further. This weekend, he’s in Austin to visit Texas for the Longhorns’ spring game.
Steve Sarkisian’s program is among the dozen schools at the top for Cunningham, but it hasn’t been mentioned nearly as much as other SEC standouts thus far. That could change in the coming days with a good visit.
On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong joined Josh Newberg to detail where Texas stands with the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder and why it’s never a smart decision to discount the Longhorns in a race for a player like Cunningham.
“I never count out Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns for any receiver,” Wiltfong said. “When you look at Coach Sark’s track record with receivers, the way he schemes them open in his offense, the development that he’s had at the position under his watch. It’s a place where receivers think that they can really blossom, grow and maximize their ability.”
Texas currently trailing for Cunningham headed into this weekend
Cunningham is far from the only major recruit on The Forty Acres this weekend. He’ll be surrounded by other top targets considering the Longhorns, as well as a heap of Texas commits, including four-star quarterback pledge K.J. Lacey.
Mississippi State is currently trending for Cunningham, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State and Tennessee are among the other programs in the running heading into official visit season.
“They’ll have to grow in this recruitment, because I think Texas is trailing some schools coming in. You obviously have Mississippi State and Jeff Lebby, he’s their top overall target on the board. Alabama has made an impression on him, he has an official visit locked in with them. Florida State is a place he’s felt at home during visits. Tennessee’s in there, was just at Florida, but it’s Texas’ turn,” Wiltfong said.
“It’s going to be a tremendous weekend on campus for the spring game, he’ll be one of the blue-chippers on campus soaking it up, as Sarkisian and company look to build on a class that ranks No. 8 nationally right now.”
Cunningham is the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 3 wideout in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 1 player in Mississippi.
Caleb Cunningham Scouting Summary
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this of Cunningham as a prospect:
“Bouncy outside receiver with the upside to become a skilled ball-winner. Listed at an unverified 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Moves well at that size. Shows the ability to come down with catches in contested situations. Naturally coordinated and can locate the football at its highest point. Also shows some ability to make defenders miss after the catch. Doubles as a fantastic high school basketball player who lives above the rim, throwing down dunks with regularity. Also posted strong marks in the high jump (6-0 feet) and triple jump (43-4.25 feet) as a freshman. Has considerable natural ability but will need to hone his technical skill at the position over the final few years of high school football. Could stand to be more productive. Plays at a smaller high school and doesn’t face top competition.”