Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Handed Major Recruiting Loss by Biggest Rival

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Utsav Khanna | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 4:14 PM ET

Auburn Tigers rolled out the red carpet when No. 2-ranked wide receiver Cederian Morgan came for an official visit.

Hugh Freeze got involved in the family dinner. Quarterback Deuce Knight and almost the entire Tigers' wide receiver room were present for the recruiting trail.

They made it evident that they want Morgan in Auburn. But most predictions painted a different picture, and it looks like they were right. Their rivals have outsmarted them yet again.

Cederian Morgan committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday.

During a ceremony held at his high school, Morgan announced his decision in the presence of former NFL star and Benjam Russell alumnus, Terrell Owens.

Aside from Auburn, Morgan was nationally a highly recruited receiver who rejected offers from the Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, Florida Gators, and Colorado Buffaloes on his way to Tuscaloosa.

Hugh Freeze was banking on Morgan's strong recruiting bond with Tigers WR coach Marcus Davis. But in the end, the No. 11-ranked overall recruit "felt like family" with the Crimson Tide.

Auburn has now lost two five-star WRs from the class of 2026. Denairius Gray officially flipped to the Kentucky Wildcats, and Morgan went with Alabama.

Hugh Freeze and co are now facing a 2026 class full of four-star recruits. Keeping their current roster intact and also leveraging the transfer portal looks like the ideal next moves for the Tigers' offense.

Auburn's current WR group looks highly efficient. They have 2024 five-star recruit Cam Coleman, in-state four-star talent Malcom Simmons, Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singlton Jr, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Penn State.

But outside this strong core, depth thins up quickly, and with no high-end 2026 recruits, the Tigers' recruiting staff will need to get creative.

Otherwise, despite bagging a top quarterback talent in Deuce Knight, the offense will struggle to make plays as they go deep into the season, and injuries start surfacing.

Auburn Tigers kick off their season on August 29 against the Baylor Bears in an away game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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