Alabama football secures a significant insurance coverage before the highly sought-after 5-star’s commitment date.

Prior to Cederian Morgan’s planned commitment on Wednesday, wide receiver Owen Cabell became Alabama’s fifteenth commit on Monday night.
Owen Cabell, a three-star wide receiver, joined Kalen DeBoer on Monday night, continuing his scorching recruiting streak. After rising from outside the top 50 to No. 8 in the nation in roughly a week, the 6-foot-3 Nashville, Tennessee, product became the 15th commit for the Tide in the 2026 class.

Two days before Cederian Morgan makes his commitment, wide receiver Owen Cabell pledges to Alabama.

DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan organised this current surge, which began on June 17 when four-star quarterback Jett Thomalla revealed he was switching from Iowa State to Alabama. It gained even more momentum on June 22 when JJ Finch made his announcement. Finch initiated a series of pledges that more than doubled the class size and placed Alabama among the top programs in the country.

When the five-star wide receiver and Alabama’s top player is scheduled to make his announcement on Wednesday, the exclamation point might be on the way. Although Morgan is considering Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, and LSU, the majority of pundits believe the Tide or Hugh Freeze’s Tigers will win. Cabell’s pledge two days prior will lessen the impact if Morgan does turn against him.

Although he is the first wide receiver in the 2026 class, Cabell is the second skill athlete that DeBoer and his staff have been managed to persuade to leave the Fighting Illini. He chose the Tide over Vanderbilt and Illinois. Javari Barnett, a four-star running back who switched from Illinois to Alabama a week ago, is the other.

Alabama’s wide receiver depth for 2025 is outstanding. The Tide have arguably the best receiving corps this side of Ohio State, with Germie Bernard returning for his senior season after hauling in 50 catches for 794 yards and two touchdowns the previous season and Ryan Williams starting his sophomore year after an incredible freshman campaign at the age of just 17. Additionally, 6-foot-5 four-star Derek Meadows, a fringe top 100 player in the nation, was a member of the 2025 recruiting class.

Prioritising the position is always a good notion, though, in a sport where dominating wide receiver performance has grown increasingly necessary to compete at the greatest level. Morgan is a very different kind of recruit than Cabell. His dedication would only slightly lessen the hurt of Morgan selecting an SEC opponent, but it’s wise to hedge your bets when it comes to five-stars in the current college football environment.