Ole Miss guard announces decision to redshirt ahead of the 2024-25 season

Ole Miss is ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 ahead of the 2024-2025 season. After finishing 20-12 last season, expectations are higher in Oxford as the new season gets underway.

However, the Rebels will be without a key player from last year’s team after TJ Caldwell announced his decision to re-sign for the 2024-2025 season.

I would like to thank Coach Beard and the entire coaching staff and organization at Ole Miss for all they have done and for supporting my decision. I have decided to retake my junior year.

— TheRealDoski (@TjCaldwell9) November 5, 2024

The guard was originally a four-star prospect in the class of 2021 out of Faith Family Academy of Oak Cliff in Texas. Caldwell committed to the Rebels after also receiving interest from Arizona State, West Virginia, TCU and others.

Caldwell figured he would be a key part of the team again this season after playing in all 32 games last season. The guard averaged 18.3 minutes, 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2023-24. Caldwell’s best game came on January 30 against Mississippi State, when the guard scored 18 points and collected 3 rebounds.

However, the Rebels added 5 players through the transfer portal, 3 of which were wings. Dre Davis, Davon Barnes and Sean Pedulla were all added through the portal and could all play big roles immediately. In the Rebels’ exhibition game against Illinois on October 7, Caldwell did not play.

The Rebels are led by senior guard Matt Murrell. Murrell was a preseason second-team All-SEC selection after averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game in 2023-2024. The Rebels tipped off the 2024-25 season against Long Island University on Monday evening.