Alabama football OC Ryan Grubb discusses red-zone receiving options

Derek Meadows and Cederian Morgan hold the size advantage in the Alabama football wide receiver room, the physical complements to smaller, quicker receivers such as Ryan-Coleman Williams and Lotzeir Brooks. As such, their presence and production for the Alabama offense will be especially needed in the red zone, where coverage and passing lanes are tighter, gaining separation from defenders much harder, and play can be more physical. Meadows, a sophomore, is 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, while Morgan (6-4, 222) provides similar size as an incoming freshman. "There's always different places for different routes, and certainly it depends on defensive structure, but if you get one-on-one matchups where you need to throw to the back of the end zone, high-ball, on in-cut return stuff, on zone throws, stuff like that, certainly it's good to have big targets," Grubb said. "(But) the savvy players are just as important. ... Cederian and Derek Meadows certainly fit that bill down there." Meadows did not make a catch last season, and suffered a concussion in a road win over Missouri. Morgan, a five-star recruit, figures to make his college debut as part of the receiving rotation in Alabama's opener, Sept. 5 at home against East Carolina. UA's next-biggest receiver, transfer Noah Rogers (6-2, 206) from North Carolina State, is out indefinitely with an injury. Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread. RCW: Ryan Coleman-Williams having 'unbelievable' Alabama football camp QUARTERBACK OPTION: Alabama football 'close' to naming starting quarterback. What it means This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football OC Ryan Grubb discusses red-zone receiving options