Alabama trending for 5-star in-state WR ahead of decision day

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have been assembling an elite 2026 recruiting class, and Steve Wiltfong of On3 expects them to add another piece in 5-star Cederian Morgan.
Cederian Morgan, Class of 2026 wide receiver of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama
Cederian Morgan, Class of 2026 wide receiver of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama | Ken Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Even without Nick Saban, Alabama has continued to recruit like Alabama. The Crimson Tide put a slow start to the 2026 recruiting cycle behind them this month, adding 10 commitments and climbing from outside the top 50 nationally to No. 9 with 15 commits and two composite five-stars. On Wednesday, a fourth could be on the way. 

Blue chip wide receiver Cederian Morgan is scheduled to announce his commitment on Wednesday as the five-star wide receiver continues to weigh five schools, Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, and Georgia. However, On3/Rivals vice president and national recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong expected the Crimson Tide to ultimately win out for the top-rated player in the state of Alabama. 

Recruiting expert expects Cederian Morgan to commit to Alabama on Wednesday

Ahead of Morgan’s commitment, Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan added another wide receiver, three-star Owen Cabell, on Monday night, but that shouldn’t affect Morgan’s decision. The Tide appear poised to add three wide receivers and could get a commitment from three-star Brian Williams as well on Tuesday. 

Alabama’s recent recruiting surge has quelled any doubts about DeBoer and his staff’s ability to attract elite level talent to Tuscaloosa in the post-Saban era, but Morgan’s commitment would be the cherry on top. He is the No. 12 overall player in the country by 247Sports Composite Rankings and the No. 2 wide receiver behind Tristen Keys, who committed to LSU, but is expected to visit Alabama during the season. 

The Tide are currently tide with three other programs that have two five-stars in the 2026 class, Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas so Morgan’s commitment, if it does go their way, would continue to vault them near the top of the national rankings. 

That race to the top has become particularly important over the past few days because the Georgia Bulldogs have grabbed the No. 2 spot with a 26-player class and seven commitments in the past week. Georgia has just one five-star in the 2026 class so far, quarterback Jared Curtis, and pairing him with Morgan could be devastating to the rest of the SEC for years to come. Instead, Alabama will hope to convince Morgan to team up with 2025 five-star QB Keelon Russell, who could be full-time starting in Tuscaloosa as early as next season.