Minkah Fitzpatrick was one of one in his career at the University of Alabama.
The New Jersey native came as a five-star defensive back in 2015 and developed into a star. He had an opportunity to start as a boundary cornerback or a nickel corner in his freshman season. Fitzpatrick earned the starting job at nickel, becoming a Freshman All-American and helping the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
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In his final season, Fitzpatrick moved to safety.
He won the Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, first-team All-SEC, and Unanimous All-American honors. Fitzpatrick captured a second national championship at a different positions and went on to become a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Players like Fitzpatrick are hard to come by, but does Alabama have a young name in this year’s secondary that could start in two different positions? Red Morgan, a four-star freshman, has grabbed everyone’s attention in spring practice. A native of Phenix City, Ala., Morgan has earned first-team reps at ‘Husky’ and free safety. According to sources, Morgan played a lot at free safety with Keon Sabb. He displays capabilities as a ‘ball hawk’ and several coaches and teammates have praised Morgan.
“He is so quick to get to the football,” sources said about Morgan. “When he makes a decision, he gets to the ball.”
No one is comparing Morgan to Fitzpatrick, but the freshman’s athleticism and versatility is something to watch.
Morgan, who wears No. 16 for Alabama, recorded a pass breakup in Thursday’s scrimmage.
Colin Hitschler, the Tide’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, said Morgan is someone that wants to learn everything and is fun to coach. Kalen DeBoer mentioned at the start of spring ball that Morgan has been making plays.
It is going to be exciting to watch him on A-Day.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
