A late-blooming, 4.31-speed receiver who went from unranked recruit to FCS star to a Chiefs training camp sleeper.
Jeff Caldwell didn't play organized football until high school and grew nearly a foot before his senior year, then turned that raw athleticism into a dominant FCS career at Lindenwood. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2026 and has been tabbed as an under-the-radar rookie to watch.
Path to the league
Caldwell grew from 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-5 between his junior and senior years of high school at Butler Traditional in Louisville, Kentucky, and drew little recruiting interest despite the growth spurt. He starred at Lindenwood from 2022-2024 before transferring to Cincinnati for his final season, then went undrafted in 2026 and signed with Kansas City.
Career highlights
At Lindenwood, Caldwell broke out as a junior in 2024 with 53 catches for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team all-conference honors, Second Team All-American recognition, and a Walter Payton Award finalist nod as the FCS's top offensive player. He ran a blazing 4.31-second 40-yard dash and posted the top broad jump among wide receivers at his pro day.
2025 season recap
Caldwell transferred to Cincinnati for 2025 and caught 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns as an outside receiver in his lone FBS season. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft but signed with the Chiefs, who have highlighted his rare speed-size combination as he competes for a roster spot.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jeff Caldwell (American football)
- Arrowhead Pride: Chiefs UDFAs: What to know about WR Jeff Caldwell, a rare athlete
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Cincinnati
- Hometown
- Louisville, KY, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
