Alabama intentionally put the ball in freshman wide receiver hands late vs. LSU

Alabama football went to an unlikely target in the fourth quarter against LSU to take a commanding lead.

The Crimson Tide designed a play that got the ball into the hands of Cederian Morgan for the second time this season, and like the first reception of his career, the 6-foot-4 freshman took it in for six.

Cederian Morgan hauls it in to put Bama up two scores vs. LSU 😤

Watch the fourth quarter of Alabama-LSU NOW on ABC and Disney+ 🍿 https://t.co/PQufoWXgcT

— ESPN (@espn) November 7, 2026

Ryan Coleman-Williams set up Alabama to take the shot with an explosive punt return. It quickly turned into the Keeon Russeel to Morgan show shortly afterwards.

Alabama football’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb revealed this was all by design, pointing the fact that Morgan had gained the trust of the Tide’s staff.

“We had some stuff dialed up in the red zone that we worked really hard at manufacturing, even from the personnel groupings that we were in to get the look that we needed,” Grubb said. “So Cederian (Morgan) and Derrick (Meadows) in the game was very intentional, and that call was ready to go in that area, and we didn’t think we were going to get the ball there. And then obviously, of course, Ryan makes an incredible return and gets us in that position, had to stay aggressive in the game. Just knew the team we were playing. And certainly there were some moments there where here were some max aggression plays that we had to make. And that was maybe one of the biggest ones. And Cederian and Derrick operated great. Keelon made about as good a throw as humanly possible in that spot. It was a big-time play.”

Morgan has only pulled in two receptions this season. Both of them have resulted in Alabama touchdowns.

It should not be a surprise if Morgan hears his name called more as the season progresses.