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SEC Sports
Red Morgan embodies what Alabama football defense aims to be in 2026
Alabama football defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is not hiding what he wants from his defense in 2026.
As he watched members of the Crimson Tide defensive line fly toward tackling dummies, Wommack barked for more and more violence. But when it comes to Red Morgan, that isn't a message Wommack really has to share.
"He's probably one of the best strikers I've seen from a tackling perspective," Wommack said in November.
Morgan plays with reckless abandon. No matter where Wommack places the Husky nickel cornerback, Morgan said he's hard-nosed and physical.
It's because Morgan feels like he has to be. He has something to prove.
"When people say you the smallest DB, you know what I'm saying, you really have no choice not to," Morgan, the 6-foot, 189-pound defensive back said.
Morgan made his biggest impact in 2025. In 15 games and five starts, Morgan had 26 tackles, including three for loss, along with three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Heading into 2026, his junior season, Morgan said he doesn't view himself as a veteran. He still has a lot to learn. But he aims to be the most consistent player possible, one who gets better at something every day.
Morgan wants to be Brian Branch: the former Alabama defensive back who, with a similar size to Morgan, was a versatile tackle machine and continued that reputation with the Detroit Lions ā making an impact everywhere from the defensive backfield to off the edge.
Morgan wants to do the same thing.
"My ability just to play anywhere and the coaches trusting me to play anywhere," Morgan said. "I appreciate them, you know what I'm saying, to put that trust in me where I can play anywhere in the secondary."
Morgan doesn't think about his size being a detriment to who he wants to be as an Alabama defensive back. Yes, he's smaller, but it creates a different mindset.
He doesn't let things get to him. He takes the field and embodies the overall mentality Wommack wants.
"That's a part of the swarm D mentality: violence," Morgan said. "We just have to go out there and have a violent mentality."
Alabama will finish its spring football schedule with A-Day Saturday, April 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
