He was not the most physically imposing defensive back in the University of Alabama’s 2024 football recruiting class, yet he performs much bigger than what he is.
Red Morgan, a former four-star, made it impossible for Kane Wommack and the Crimson Tide’s defensive coaching staff to not play him versus Western Kentucky. The talented freshman was nothing but impressive in spring practice, summer workouts, and preseason camp.
A product of Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., Morgan earned several reps against the Hilltoppers last week in a 63-0 victory for the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The 6-foot, 186-pounder can jump out the gym, but he is also tough as nails. Morgan stuck his nose in on every play to open his freshman campaign, recording a tackle and a pass breakup.
Keon Sabb, a transfer safety, said Morgan is ‘beyond his years’ in terms of talent.
“He’s beyond his years, he’s super talented.”
– @AlabamaFTBL DB @keon_sabb on Red Morgan @Rydarrius1. @Roger_Hoover‘s Full Interview on Tuesday’s Crimson Drive driven by @NASCAR at 2 pm on @UA_CTSN: https://t.co/tgBThLFHXX pic.twitter.com/qk2yY80TYx— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) September 3, 2024
“He is super talented,” Sabb said to Roger Hoover of Crimson Tide Sports Network.
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“He is learning the football side of it so the sky is the limit for him.”
Domani Jackson, a transfer cornerback from the University of Southern California, loves Morgan’s reckless mentality to fly around and make hits.
He said the freshman’s energy gets him and others excited on Alabama’s sideline.
Alabama CB Domani Jackson unveils his thoughts on freshman DB Red Morgan:
“He comes down just wanting to hit. That boy was flying down from 12 yards down throwing his whole body in. One thing about Red is he always finds the ball.”@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/2mLDOxkBnD
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) September 3, 2024
“He comes down just wanting to hit,” Jackson said. “That boy was flying down from 12 yards down just throwing his whole body into it. We were all on the sideline like ‘dang, Red is trying to hit somebody.’ Red always gets his opportunities to the ball, and he always finds the ball. That is one thing about Red, he always finds the ball.”
He attacked the ball a lot in high school, and the trait has followed him to the Tide.
Coach Wommack, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, wants more turnovers from his defense. He challenged them to take advantage of takeaways, but he enjoyed watching Morgan’s physicality.
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“I felt he communicated well for the most part,” Wommack said. “I thought from a fundamental standpoint, he was relatively consistent. Those things have to grow as you maneuver throughout the season, but one of the things that is exciting about Red is that he did not play hesitant. He pulled the trigger when he needed to, he played fast. When you have somebody like Red, he is very bouncy, very athletic. He is very active, has a high motor, and that’s the type of player we need to see as he continues to build more consistency in his game. I was pleased with what we saw from him.”
Morgan now turns his focus to Saturday as he looks to help Alabama take down South Florida.
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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.
