Legendary Nick Saban Still Influencing Alabama Recruiting as GM Confirms His Role Moments After Cederian Morgan Commitment
The Alabama Crimson Tide football program landed one of its biggest recruiting victories of the year on July 2, 2025, securing the commitment of five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan — and it didn’t take long for confirmation to emerge that legendary former head coach Nick Saban had a hand in the outcome.
Moments after Morgan, the nation’s No. 1-ranked player from the state of Alabama, announced his decision to stay home with the Crimson Tide over fierce competition from Auburn and Georgia, Alabama General Manager Courtney Morgan all but confirmed Saban’s behind-the-scenes role in the process. In a subtle but telling move, Courtney Morgan publicly liked a post on X that read, “Saban still recruiting for Bama,” fueling speculation that the retired icon remains a powerful figure in Tuscaloosa’s recruiting operation.
Despite stepping down as head coach after the 2023 season, Nick Saban’s influence clearly endures within the program. Sources close to the Crimson Tide confirmed that Saban met with Cederian Morgan during a critical June campus visit, a meeting that left a significant impression on the 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver.
“Coach Saban is the greatest to ever do it,” Morgan told reporters shortly after his commitment ceremony. “Just hearing his vision for the program — even now — and the belief he has in what Coach DeBoer is building made my decision easy.”
The commitment marks another major win for head coach Kalen DeBoer, whose 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 6 nationally and is trending upward. But even with DeBoer leading the charge, it’s impossible to overlook the role Saban continues to play in Alabama’s recruiting success.
Photos from Morgan’s visit circulated online earlier this summer, showing him alongside both DeBoer and Saban inside the Crimson Tide facilities. Similar images have emerged featuring other elite recruits, including four-star running back Ezavier Crowell, prompting speculation that Saban’s new title — Senior Advisor to Football Operations — comes with unofficial recruiting duties.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum addressed the situation on Wednesday, emphasizing Saban’s continued sway within the program.
“Nick Saban’s shadow looms large over college football, and especially in Tuscaloosa,” Finebaum said during an appearance on SEC Today. “Whether he’s officially recruiting or not, when Nick Saban speaks to a recruit, it matters. It’s clear his fingerprints are still all over Alabama’s future.”
Saban, 73, retired following a Hall of Fame career that delivered seven national championships and cemented Alabama as a modern dynasty. His return to the program in an advisory role was initially seen as ceremonial, but recent developments suggest he remains an active presence — particularly when it comes to keeping top in-state talent within Alabama’s borders.
Cederian Morgan’s pledge is especially significant given the fierce competition from Auburn, led by Hugh Freeze, and Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, both of whom aggressively pursued the towering wideout. But in the end, the opportunity to learn from DeBoer, play in Alabama’s high-powered offense, and connect with Saban was too much to pass up.
“I want to be developed by the best,” Morgan said. “Coach DeBoer is an offensive genius, and having Coach Saban still around — that means the standard stays the same. This is home.”
Morgan becomes the headliner of Alabama’s 2026 class, which also features commitments from four-star prospects such as defensive back Marcus Holloway and offensive lineman Bryson McCall. With Saban’s lingering presence helping to attract elite talent, Alabama’s recruiting machine shows no signs of slowing down.
For Alabama fans, it’s reassurance that even in retirement, Nick Saban’s championship mindset — and recruiting magic — remain central to the Crimson Tide’s future.
