Cayden Lee is officially in the transfer portal - but don’t mistake that for a guaranteed exit from Oxford. The veteran wide receiver made the announcement Saturday, signaling a potential shift in his college football journey, though the door remains wide open for a return to Ole Miss.
In a message posted to his X account, Lee made it clear that leaving wasn’t part of the original plan. “Leaving Ole Miss was never even a consideration,” he wrote.
“But circumstances beyond my control have prompted me to take this path as I consider my senior season. I am walking in faith and asking God to order my steps accordingly.”
The timing of Lee’s announcement is notable, coming just a day after linebacker Trinidad Chambliss filed a lawsuit against the NCAA following the denial of his waiver request for a sixth year of eligibility. Chambliss, who has already committed to Ole Miss if granted that extra year, is at the center of a situation that could directly impact Lee’s future.
According to reports, Lee’s move to enter the portal is more about keeping options open than making a definitive break. The expectation - per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz - is that if Chambliss is ultimately cleared to play in 2026, Lee will likely withdraw from the portal and finish his career at Ole Miss. In other words, this is a strategic move, not a farewell tour.
And make no mistake - wherever Lee ends up, he’ll be a sought-after addition. Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 1,509 receiving yards, proving himself as a reliable and explosive option in the passing game. In 2025 alone, he totaled 635 yards, ranking fourth among Rebels receivers - no small feat in an offense that’s consistently deep at the position.
For now, Lee’s future sits in a holding pattern, tied to the outcome of Chambliss’s eligibility battle. But whether he’s back in a Rebels uniform or suiting up elsewhere, Lee’s senior season is shaping up to be one to watch.