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The Ole Miss Rebels continue to add pieces through the transfer portal as they get ready for the 2024 season. The Rebels secured one of their biggest additions yet on Wednesday afternoon in wide receiver Traylon Ray from the West Virginia Mountaineers. Let's break down why this addition is huge and rank it alongside other key transfer additions Ole Miss has made this offseason.
- Traylon Ray (WR - West Virginia)
Position: Wide Receiver
Previous School: West Virginia
2023 Stats: 28 catches, 426 yards, 4 touchdowns
Ranking: 4-Star Prospect (No. 54 WR Nationally)
Traylon Ray commits to Ole Miss as a transfer, and this should give a big boost in the receiving room that has taken some serious hits via NFL Draft declarations and the transfer portal. Coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season, Ray's talent on the field is, without a doubt, evident. In just 10 games last season, he had 28 catches for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Ranked as a four-star prospect while holding offers from schools like Florida State, Mississippi State, and Florida speaks volumes. Ray's addition should help restore depth and explosive playmaking ability to the Ole Miss wideout group.
2. Caleb Odom (TE - Alabama)
Position: Tight End
Previous School: Alabama
Ranking: 4-Star Prospect
A major addition to the Rebels' offense is do-it-all tight end Caleb Odom from Alabama. He brings high-caliber talent and experience from the SEC, where he was an active part of his previous school's passing game. His size and speed combination now provides Ole Miss with a legit threat in both the pass and run games, with the potential to make an instant impact.
3. De'Zhaun Stribling (WR - Oklahoma State)
Position: Wide Receiver Previous School: Oklahoma State Ranking: 3-Star Prospect
With Stribling on board, the receiving game for Ole Miss just got deeper. He was known at his previous school for sure hands, route precision, and separation. In this transfer from Oklahoma State, Stribling brings assurance to the receiving room of the Rebels with one more reliable complement to Traylon Ray.
4. Deuce Alexander (WR - Wake Forest)
Position: Wide Receiver
Previous School: Wake Forest
Ranking: 3-Star Prospect
Another key addition in the Ole Miss wideout room is Deuce Alexander. Transferring from Wake Forest, Alexander brings playmaking and consistency to help the Rebel offense take shape. He has been a big part of how Ole Miss replaces lost production, and his experience and skill set are going to be big for the team.
5. Caleb Cunningham (WR - High School)
Position: Wide Receiver
Previous School: High School (Florida)
Ranking: 4-Star Recruit
As one of the highest-rated recruits in the class of 2024, Caleb Cunningham personifies the continued emphasis on bringing in talent that Ole Miss is placing into practice. His commitment gives the Rebels a quality young prospect for the future. Development of the other transfer wide receivers would see Cunningham in rotation quickly, contributing to the future success of the team.
6. Winston Watkins Jr. (WR - High School)
Position: Wide Receiver
Previous School: High School (Florida)
Ranking: 4-Star Recruit
Winston Watkins Jr. is another highly rated incoming freshman who could have an immediate impact. His agility, athleticism, and impressive catching ability make him a player to watch. As one of the top recruits in the country, Watkins' future looks bright, and Ole Miss fans are eager to see what he can do in his first year on the field.
Key Departures and Their Impact
The Rebels did take some considerable losses, though, as wide receivers Ayden Williams and Noreel White entered the transfer portal. There was also the departures to the NFL Draft: Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins, and Juice Wells, which means there was quite a hole in that wide receiver room. But boy, has Ole Miss made up for it with some strong talent coming in both from the transfer portal and high school ranks.
Conclusion: Ole Miss' Growing Talent Pool
With the addition of Traylon Ray, along with other transfer portal gems like Caleb Odom, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Deuce Alexander, the Ole Miss Rebels are clearly focused on assembling a deep and talented receiving corps for the upcoming season. These moves not only address immediate needs but also create long-term stability and success for the team. Expect Ole Miss, going into the 2024 season, to compete with the best and one of the deepest units for wide receiver spots in the entire SEC.