Ole Miss WR Cayden Lee Enters Transfer Portal Ahead of Senior Season
Another notable name is on the move in Oxford. Veteran wide receiver Cayden Lee has entered the transfer portal, signaling a late shift in Ole Miss’ wideout room just as the offseason dust was starting to settle.
Lee, who’s been a consistent presence in the Rebels’ offense over the past three seasons, is looking for a fresh start ahead of what will be his final year of eligibility. While the official transfer portal window closed on Jan. 16, players can still be processed into the portal after the deadline due to administrative delays - and that’s where Lee’s timing comes into play.
The move comes after a 2025 season that didn’t quite match the production Lee posted earlier in his career. He finished the year with 44 receptions for 635 yards and three touchdowns - solid numbers, but a noticeable dip from his 2024 campaign, when he hauled in 57 catches for 874 yards and two scores working with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Lee’s reduced output wasn’t entirely on him. The Rebels’ offense faced plenty of turbulence in 2025.
Preseason starter Austin Simmons, a close friend of Lee’s, suffered an injury early on and lost the starting job to Trinidad Chambliss. Simmons has since transferred to Missouri, leaving behind a ripple effect that clearly impacted the offensive rhythm - and Lee’s role in it.
Now, Lee becomes the second Ole Miss wide receiver to hit the portal this offseason, joining Winston Watkins, who has committed to LSU. And the shakeup doesn’t stop there. The Rebels are also expected to lose De'Zhaun Stribling and Trey Wallace to the NFL Draft, meaning the wide receiver room is undergoing a full-blown transformation.
To offset those departures, Ole Miss has been active in the portal themselves. The Rebels have brought in Syracuse transfers Darrell Gill and Johntay Cook, along with Kentucky’s Cameron Miller and Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Spencer. That influx of talent should help restock the shelves, but Lee’s departure still stings - he’s a guy who’s played in 38 games, knows the system, and brought veteran savvy to the position.
Where Lee lands next remains to be seen, but there’s no question he’ll bring experience and versatility to his next stop. And for a wideout looking to bounce back in his senior year, a change of scenery might be just what he needs.