Alabama isn’t wasting any time getting its top-tier freshmen involved - and why would they? When you land the nation’s top running back and a top-five wide receiver, the plan isn’t to stash them on the bench. It’s to unleash them.
Ezavier Crowell, the No. 1 freshman running back in the country, and Cederian Morgan, ranked as the fifth-best wide receiver in the class, are already turning heads in Tuscaloosa. And according to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, fans won't have to wait long to see them in action.
"I'm excited to see what they can do this year," Grubb said last week at the Alabama Football Coaches Association convention in Montgomery. "They're not gonna have to wait long to get on the field."
That’s not just coach-speak. Alabama just locked in the No. 2 recruiting class in 247 Sports’ final rankings, and both Crowell and Morgan played a big part in that. Crowell climbed to No. 17 overall nationally, while Morgan settled at No. 46 - a slight dip, but still elite company.
Grubb emphasized that while the transfer portal has changed the game, high school recruiting is still the foundation of Alabama football.
"That's the lifeblood of the program. It starts here.
It starts in Alabama," he said. "You look at a couple of the guys we brought in this year, with EJ and Cederian, that's what Alabama's been built on for a long, long time."
Grubb didn’t hold back when asked about what he’s seen from the two so far.
"Wow," he said with a grin. "They're already here on campus, back in Tuscaloosa.
Really there's a lot of physical characteristics that both of them have. They're outstanding players.
But the maturity and the mindset that those guys have already at this point in their career has been really impressive."
That’s high praise, especially from a coach known for his attention to detail. And it didn’t stop there.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer also got a chance to see Morgan up close during practices ahead of Alabama’s postseason run. Morgan, who enrolled early, got valuable reps with the team before the Tide’s playoff games.
"I did get a chance to see him a little bit more, just because he was practicing with us before we went on our bowl games -- our playoff games," DeBoer said. "Really impressed with him.
Moves extremely well. Very fluid.
Big hands. Catches the ball.
Very strong at the point of attack with the ball."
It wasn’t just the coaching staff taking notice. According to DeBoer, players were just as impressed by Morgan’s early flashes in practice.
That kind of early buzz is exactly what Alabama fans want to hear. With Crowell and Morgan already on campus and drawing rave reviews, the Tide’s offense could be looking at a youth movement this fall - one that’s as talented as it is ready.
And if early signs are any indication, these two aren’t just future stars. They’re ready to contribute right now.