Familiar Faces Surround Cayden Lee Following Transfer to Missouri

The wide receiver transfer already has familiar connections in place before the season begins

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Missouri Tigers are welcoming two transfers from the University of Mississippi, both on the offensive side of the ball. Wide receiver Cayden Lee and quarterback Austin Simmons are coming to Missouri from Ole Miss, hoping to bolster the Tigers’ offense this season.

This will be Lee and Simmons’ fourth consecutive season together, bringing built-in chemistry to the Missouri offense. When asked by reporters Tuesday how Simmons is a different quarterback now than he was a year ago, Lee discussed the quarterback’s growing self-assurance. 

“He's always had the confidence and swagger a little bit, but I feel like now, just regaining that confidence that he has in himself and just trusting himself to make those throws. We trust him, we know he's going to lead us in the right direction,” Lee said.

Simmons isn’t the only familiar face Lee has in the Tigers’ offense. Missouri wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler has known Lee for some time and built a connection with him before his transfer, making Lee’s decision to come to Missouri less difficult. 

“I don't know if a lot of people know this, but Coach Peeler, their receiver coach, was actually at Ole Miss, and he developed a lot of the guys there from Elijah Moore to A.J. to DK, and he recruited me out of high school as well. So I kind of had a relationship with him, and so just making that tie into this decision made it a little bit easier for me,” Lee said.

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tigers’ wide receiver room features a handful of younger players. Lee is one of the more proven, experienced receivers, with three seasons of SEC play under his belt. While the group may be young, there is talent throughout the room, and Lee praised the depth Missouri has at the position.

“I mean, the room is so deep. Anybody can go out there and make a play. But just seeing how the decision making really just comes into factor, and they really know the offense. So just seeing how they can make plays is awesome,” Lee said.

Those three seasons were all spent with the Rebels, where Lee recorded 1,623 yards on 106 receptions. Spending that much time with one program before transferring to another is not easy. Lee credited the entire Missouri program and community with making his transition a little easier.

“I just feel like from the moment I got here, all the players and coaching staff and just the people around town just really welcomed me with open arms. I'm excited to be here. I'm thankful for the opportunity, and I really just like how everybody's embraced me,” Lee said.

Along with the program, Lee mentioned his new teammate and fellow wide receiver Donovan Olugbode as someone who has helped him since arriving at Missouri.

“I'm excited to play with him. He's done a lot since I've gotten here. Just kind of showed me around town and things like that,” Lee said.

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