Kalen DeBoer is going to field a young Alabama football team in 2026. It'll probably be the youngest overall Crimson Tide team since the 2008 team in Nick Saban's second season on the job, which was littered with freshmen in the two-deep.
Alabama's depth chart will feature a heavy diet of freshmen and sophomores, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
They are all talented players, but youth can be both a blessing and a curse. The season could hinge on how quickly a young Crimson Tide team can grow up.
Offensively, two playmakers who appear to be on the precipice of major roles as freshmen are RB EJ Crowell and WR Cederian Morgan, both of whom were among the top high school players in the state of Alabama in the 2026 cycle.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford listed both among his SEC freshmen poised for breakout seasons.
EJ Crowell and Cederian Morgan could play major roles for Alabama as true freshman
Crowell is the most anticipated freshman for the Crimson Tide. He missed a lot of reps in the spring with an injury, but is expected to be full go in fall camp. He'll have an opportunity to carve out a significant role in the Tide's backfield as DeBoer and company look to fix one of the nation's worst rushing offenses from a year ago.
Crowell is one of the most decorated high school running backs in state history, and he was one of the most sought-after prospects in the country in the 2026 recruiting cycle. He's expected to be part of the rotation immediately and could develop into the Crimson Tide's featured back by midseason or earlier.
Morgan was the top WR in the state in the 2026 class. He had offers from everywhere but chose to stay home. That decision could lead to him earning a starring role in Alabama's offense in year one.
With the spring practice injury to NC State transfer Noah Rogers, which is expected to hold him out at the beginning of the season, there's a golden opportunity for Morgan to emerge into a featured role right away. He'll compete with redshirt sophomore Rico Scott and sophomore Derek Meadows for the starting spot alongside Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.
Regardless of the outcome of that position battle, Morgan is expected to play quite a bit as a freshman. His blend of size and ball skills perfectly complements Coleman-Williams and Brooks.
Alabama's offensive ceiling will be contingent on young players stepping up. Crowell and Morgan seem like the safest bets to do so, and Crimson Tide fans won't have to wait long to see them get on the field.
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