As Alabama gears up for its Rose Bowl clash with Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, the Crimson Tide are doing more than just prepping for a shot at a national title - they’re also giving fans an early glimpse of the program’s future.
Several members of Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class have already arrived in Tuscaloosa as early enrollees, and they’re getting their first taste of life inside one of college football’s most demanding and decorated programs. While they’re not expected to contribute on the field just yet, being around the team during a playoff run is a rare opportunity - and one that could pay dividends down the line.
On the offensive side, four early enrollees have joined the Tide: quarterback Jett Thomalla, wide receiver Cederian Morgan, tight end Mack Sutter, and offensive lineman Chris Booker. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb met with reporters Saturday and made it clear that while it’s far too early to evaluate what these young players bring to the table, their presence is already being felt.
“None really yet,” Grubb said when asked what kind of impression the newcomers had made. “Great, great guys.
They really haven’t done anything yet. They’ve been out running around.”
That’s to be expected. These players are just days into their college careers, and right now, the focus is more on soaking in the experience than making a splash. Still, Morgan - the highly touted wideout from Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City - is already turning heads in scout team work.
Grubb noted that Morgan has been lining up against the defense during practice and is doing “an awesome job” in that role. It’s a small sample size, but it’s the kind of early impression that gets coaches and teammates excited.
As for Thomalla, the four-star quarterback from Nebraska, his introduction has been even more limited. “Jett played a little bit of catch last night,” Grubb said with a grin.
“He really just got here. So did Mack.
So nothing yet, but just excited. It’s really a cool entry point for these guys into the program here at Alabama.
We’re on a playoff run. We’re going to the Rose Bowl.
In their mind, I think this is everything they signed up for.”
That last point is a big one. For players like Thomalla and Morgan, enrolling early means jumping into the deep end - and doing so at a time when the stakes couldn’t be higher.
It’s not just about learning the playbook or adjusting to the speed of the college game. It’s about seeing firsthand what it takes to compete for a national championship.
Morgan, ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports composite ratings, has already made an impression on veteran wideout Germie Bernard.
“He’s gonna be a great player,” Bernard said. “I’m excited to watch his growth, how he’s going to succeed.
He’s a big receiver, obviously. He listens very well.
He takes coaching. He’s eager to learn.”
Bernard also highlighted Morgan’s value to the team in the short term, noting that he’s been giving the defensive backs a strong look on scout team. “It’s exciting to see a guy like that come in,” he said.
On the offensive line, Chris Booker - a four-star interior lineman from Hapeville Charter in Georgia - is also getting his first reps with the team. Alabama center Parker Brailsford hasn’t had much time to connect with Booker just yet, but he offered some veteran advice for the freshman.
“What I’ve pretty much told him is, coming here as a freshman is a lot,” Brailsford said. “It’s a big transition, obviously. Just being able to keep your head down and put in the work every single day is a big thing that’s helped me, going from when I was freshman playing scout team to where I am now.”
That’s the kind of message that resonates in a program like Alabama’s - where development is as important as recruiting rankings, and where the path from scout team to starter is well-worn by those willing to grind.
For now, the early enrollees will continue to observe, learn, and contribute in small ways as the Crimson Tide prepare for Thursday’s 3 p.m. CT kickoff in Pasadena. The winner of the Rose Bowl will advance to the Peach Bowl semifinal, where either Oregon or Texas Tech awaits.
It’s a big stage for Alabama, and for these young players, it’s a front-row seat to what they hope will be their future.