Kalen DeBoer says two Alabama freshmen could have ‘significant’ impact in 2026
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Remember how great Ryan Coleman-Williams was for Alabama in 2024?
At the age of just 17, Coleman-Williams led the Crimson Tide in receiving with 865 yards, including 177 yards in a key win over Georgia to end September. He’s primed for another strong season in 2026 after a down 2025.
This year, a reporter at SEC Media Days asked Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer if incoming freshmen RB EJ Crowell and WR Cederian Morgan to have a similar impact in Year 1 with the program. Wide receiver and running back are positions that are light on experience heading into the new season, which means the promising freshmen should get an opportunity to show what they can do starting this September.
DeBoer appears to agree. He refused to shy away from their abilities as freshmen, noting that Crowell and Morgan have both put in the work and could each have a “significant” impact for the Tide offense based on the opportunities in front of them.
“Ryan that year as a freshman was that guy, and we’re going to need that from those guys that you mentioned,” DeBoer said. “Both EJ and Cederian I think are guys that we’ll be looking to that could have an impact that is significant and one that’s needed to help our football team. They put in the work. They are — they have a level of urgency knowing there is an opportunity for them to contribute at a high level. They have the capability as well.”
We’ll get a better look at Morgan and Crowell on September 5 as the Tide open their season against East Carolina.
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Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
