Losing North Carolina State transfer wide receiver Noah Rogers to injury in the A-Day scrimmage was disappointing. Among the Alabama football roster of talented receivers, it can be argued that Rogers was having the best spring.
Rogers is not expected to miss the entire 2026 season. His patella tendon injury is expected to keep him out of action until at least October. His precise recovery timeline has not been released.
Kaeln DeBoer's typical pattern of wide receiver rotation usually does not go beyond five. There are at least three Alabama wideouts in contention to fill Rogers' projected starting spot. They are Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, and highly-touted freshman Cederian Morgan. One or two of them will benefit from the extra snaps made available because of Rogers' injury.
All three could start on many other SEC teams. Rico Scott is a redshirt sophomore with 16 receptions in his college career. Scott has 4.4 speed and good hands. He is also an effective blocker. Scott might be the Crimson Tide's fastest receiver, though Ryan Coleman-Williams disagrees, saying, "Oh, he fast. He ain’t faster than me, though."
Scott will likely become the Crimson Tide's No. 3 wideout starter.
Last season at NCSU, Noah Rogers had 33 receptions for 441 yards. At 6'2", Rogers is a physical mismatch for many cornerbacks. The redzone role Isaiah Horton filled last season, of going up to grab balls over defenders, was expected to be filled by Rogers.
Alabama Football loses depth with Rogers injury but fills in with talent
Fortunately for the Alabama Crimson Tide, the wide receiver group has two less experienced, but more physically capable guys to rise above defenders. They are 6'5" sophomore Derek Meadows and 6'4" Cederian Morgan. Meadows and Morgan have been reported as having strong spring performances. Meadows might beat out Scott for WR3. Whether he does or not, he will get plenty of targets in the fall.
Morgan is a potential superstar. He will have to prove himself as a route-runner and a blocker. He already has all the other wide receiver skills. He, too, will benefit from Rogers being out.
Alabama football fans will hope for a speedy and full recovery for Noah Rogers. His return will be welcome, but his absence does not present a major problem. Even without Rogers, the Crimson Tide has a wide receiver position group in college football's top 10.
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