His performance during spring practice made it obvious that Cederian Morgan was going to make an impact as a freshman for Alabama. The injury to NC State transfer Noah Rogers, who Kalen DeBoer said will miss some time during the 2026 season, only made it more pivotal for Morgan to be ready for a significant early role.
The No. 1 WR in the state of Alabama for the 2026 cycle certainly looks the part. He's clearly taking things seriously this offseason.
In a photo published to social media on Saturday, Morgan looks totally jacked:
Alabama WR Cederian Morgan looks JACKED heading into his freshman campaign.
— Crimson Coverage (@CrimsonCoverage) May 23, 2026
The 6-foot-4, 223-pound pass-catcher is expected to have a major impact in Alabama’s offense in Year 1.
What are your thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/TifbKMAiAV
Cederian Morgan is embracing the Julio Jones comparions at Alabama
Alabama fans have begun affectionately calling Morgan "Baby Julio." He has the same freakish size as a freshman that Julio Jones had ahead of his first season in Tuscaloosa back in 2008. He might not have Jones' speed, but he has the catch radius and big hands that make him a contested catch monster. Ryan Coleman-Williams said during spring practice that Alabama teammates have taken to calling him "Gulf of Mexico" because QBs just have to get it close and he'll go get it.
With Rogers missing time, there's a three-way competition for the Tide's No. 3 WR spot next to Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.
Morgan will compete with returning players Rico Scott and Derek Meadows. Regardless of who ultimately comes out on top and earns the starting spot, all five will play. They're all good enough to make immediate impacts, but you have to figure that with Coleman-Williams and Brooks being on the smaller side, it gives Morgan and Meadows the best chance of earning the starting spot as a "big slot" type WR.
DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb have big plans for Morgan. They're going to move him around the formation. They're going to get him and Meadows on the field at the same time and lined up next to one another. They might even do it with Kaleb Edwards lined up on the same side of the formation, too, to really put the defense in conflict. All are mismatches for most defensive backs.
Regardless of whether it's Keelon Russell or Austin Mack who wins the starting QB job for the Crimson Tide, it's clear that talent at WR won't be a problem. Even after Isaiah Horton transferred to Texas A&M and Germie Bernard was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are still plenty of talented pass catchers in Tuscaloosa ready to take the torch.
Morgan fits the bill and looks fully prepared for the moment.
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