With spring camp underway, there are several freshman standing out in a positive way. But there's one that's already drawing comparisons of a former Alabama legend.
Déjà vu (noun) – the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time.
The University of Alabama may already have a freshman receiver who looks strikingly similar to a former legend.
According to junior wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, looking at Cederian Morgan, who stands at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, is like looking at a time machine.
“1000%,” Williams said when asked if he anticipates Morgan making an immediate impact for the upcoming season. “We have a lot of young guys that’s working their tail off, and Cederian’s one of them. It’s literally like looking in a time machine, watching a guy. He’s a little bigger than me… I’ve seen him since he was in high school. So, it’s just crazy to see how he’s came in, had his head down, trying to learn from older guys, and I remember being in that position.”
Morgan has already drawn comparisons to Alabama alum Julio Jones, and it only helps his case that he plans on wearing number 8 for the program.
Jones was one of the more decorated Alabama players to ever don the crimson and white, while towering over each and every one of his teammates.
But as we’ve seen time after time, you can have the physical gifts. What can you do to separate yourself?
Nick Saban was always fond of Jones’ leadership, saying in 2021 that out of all players, there was no better leader, and credited him to helping create the famous “Bama Standard.”
That leadership is the very same reason why people see the Jones and Morgan comparison. Not only does he have the build, but he’s been recognized as the leader of his high school team at Benjamin Russell High in Alexander City, AL.
In a game where he knew then-Alabama wide receiver coach JaMarcus Shephard would be in attendance, Morgan sacrificed his stats for a win against the Spain City Jaguars.
“On nights like this, you know what (Morgan) was saying?” Benjamin Russell coach Kirk Johnson asked. “‘Find a way to get the ball to (Morgan’s teammate) BJ [Bedgood]. They are double-covering me.’ BJ probably went for 200 receiving yards. I don’t know what it is. But it was a freaking lot.
“Most kids are going to be selfish like, ‘You got to get me the ball.’ No, that’s not who (Morgan) is. He might have made three catches all night. And not once did he complain. Not once.”
Not only that, Morgan understands the pride that comes with representing the jersey that you wear.
“I love my city and I’ll do anything for them,” Morgan said. “Whatever it takes for us to win that state championship, I’m going to do it.”
Music to a coach’s ears.
That’s the type of player that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is looking for in keeping the Bama Standard alive.
In DeBoer’s two seasons in Tuscaloosa, while there has been some mild success, there have also been several growing pains that have come with it.
And yet, that’s why Morgan is here.
When Jones first arrived in Tuscaloosa, the team before him went 7-6. And while Morgan is coming to a team that is fresh off a Rose Bowl, it was a Rose Bowl to forget after the Tide got smoked 38-3 by the defending champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Call it serendipitous if you believe in that.
Alabama may have unknowingly created a prototype in 2008 when Jones first took the field. Ironically, one year after Morgan was born.
The school changed the course of its history when it welcomed in Jones. If Morgan develops the same way, history may not repeat itself. It’ll be a full on reload.
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