Article IV: A New Devy Hope
2026 Freshman Favorites
Every year 1-7 new stars are born within the Milky Way Galaxy, however those stars are not visible to the naked eye. At least none have been recorded in history. The stars born within the Prospect Galaxy are different, they’re visible to members of our High Council. In recent years stars like Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney emerged as true stars their first year. Before then Quinshon Judkins emerged as a supernova ready to take on any in his way. These new stars created a new hope within the programs on The Devy Planet. A Hope that is seen in the high school tape translates directly to the college film to later be the stars we look forward to seeing on Sundays. In Article IV of our Prospect Galaxy series we discuss those new stars that we can see emerging into Supernovas within the Galaxy.
Alabama - WR - Cederian Morgan
Alabama has not been WRU in a little bit, but the blue chip program still produces and brings in good talent. Morgan is the next phase of that. He comes in at WR5 in the class by 247Sports, just barely missing 5 star designation as a 4 star +. His background is stellar – a 3 sport star in basketball, track and field, and of course, football. He arrived as an early enrollee, which is always good, and forced his way onto the field early in an unusually shallow WR room at Bama. He is currently competing, and allegedly winning, the WR3 spot taking over for Isaiah Horton who transferred to Texas A&M.
Why do you want Cederian Morgan besides the pedigree though? What makes him worth the hype? Let’s start with the size: 6’4” 224 lbs. He is a built in a lab X receiver who pairs his elite measurables with high end leaping ability and strong hands. I see shades of Brandon Marshall in his game which would of course be an absolute ceiling. He is more of a downfield and boundary threat than a true catch and run player, but he does have functional mobility for a player of his size and really good instincts with the ball in his hands. 247 notes that his acceleration and speed are impressive for his size, but I think it is more in the range of average, and not how he wins. How he wins is through physicality and body control, something alabama needs alongside speedster and yac machine Ryan Coleman-Williams, and slot jitterbug Lotzier Brooks. Morgan brings a unique element here. An athlete of this size with his athletic profile is a rare thing. For comparison to this year’s draft class, imagine if Denzel Boston was more athletic.
In terms of scheme fit, as stated above he brings much needed size and boundary ability to this team. It is asking a lot of a true freshman to step into a blue chip school and produce day 1, but I know Morgan has the ability to do just that. His teammates are raving about his performances calling him “The Gulf of Mexico” because “if you throw it to him, he’s gonna catch it.” What that has to do with the Gulf of Mexico, I have no clue, but it’s clear he’s beloved and dominating. His main competition for the role is Noah Rogers, a 2 time transfer who has never really panned out and is now hurt and will miss the start of the season, and Derek Meadows, an athletic freak in his own right, but was a Y1Z last year and is far less polished and versatile than Morgan is. If I was a betting man I would bet they move all three of the wrs, Coleman-Williams, Brooks, and Morgan, around in the formation to scheme open looks and maximize their talents. Keelon Russell looked great in the spring game, and even found Morgan for a 22 yard touchdown highlighting their early chemistry. It’s hard to see a world where Morgan doesn’t have a significant role from day 1.
In terms of our Devy Hope, how high could he rise? I would go as far as to say that I believe Morgan could legitimately challenge for 1.01 in 2029 rookie drafts. His size, athletic profile, and blue chip status all align for success. He should smash through year 1 thresholds and develop a strong analytical profile as well. As we preach here at the planet, when analytics and film work together in harmony we have ourselves an elite prospect. This is an example or projecting that out and seeing a very easy path. Of course, anything can happen, but Morgan is legitimately one of my favorite players in the entire Devy landscape, and for me is in a tier with Chris Henry Jr. and Tristan Keys. Celestial Status is loading, and you should jump in while the water is still warm.
Texas - RB - Derreck Cooper
When you think of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida, the name that immediately comes to mind is Ohio State superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, one of the most talented prospects on The Devy Planet. But a new promising prospect is set to emerge from the same program. Former Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory running back, Derreck Cooper, committed to the University of Texas. Standing 6’1 and weighing approximately 205 pounds, Cooper is a physically imposing back who enrolled early to participate in Spring camp. He has wasted no time making an impression on the Texas coaching staff from day one as early indications suggest he may be in line for a big role during his freshman campaign.
Cooper’s game is built on a foundation of power and efficiency. He is a true north-south runner who pummels through defensive lines maintaining balance after contact. Although he is not the quickest, Cooper has shown the ability to make cuts with precision. He won’t blow you away with his initial burst off the snap, but he makes up for that in other areas of his game. His lack in that first-step explosiveness is compensated for by his ability to build speed through momentum. In one-on-one situations, Cooper consistently comes out on top. He wins with physicality like an old-school power back who simply refuses to go down. His high school tape is remarkable. As a senior at Chaminade-Madonna, he averaged 9.1 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns. The year before during his junior campaign he put up 9.3 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Plus, he hauled in nine passes for 156 yards and a receiving score. His talent was not just on offense. During that junior season he also managed 46 total tackles, four sacks, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. Cooper was also a multi-sport athlete becoming a state qualifier in track.
Earlier we mentioned his early enrollment to Texas, and Spring camp has shown he made the right decision. Running backs coach Jabbar Juluke hasn’t been shy about his enthusiasm, saying, “Elite ball skills. Highly intelligent for a freshman. We threw a lot at him, and he’s been picking it up really well. I’m pleased where he’s at right now.”
That football IQ is seen throughout his game. However, it might be most evident in the passing game. Cooper has shown efficiency both as a screen game target and as a legitimate receiving option out of the backfield. Perhaps most notably for a freshman, his pass protection awareness has drawn praise. Offensive coordinator Kyle Flood has spoken about his pass protection abilities: “I think he has done a really good job at that and really productive in that role.”
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has also publicly praised Cooper’s work ethic and his versatility to be effective in multiple areas of the field. This is exactly what Spring camp is for. These coaching endorsements are why it was wise for Cooper to enroll early.
The area of his game that will determine just how high his ceiling can climb is his hip fluidity and overall flexibility in his lower body movement. Right now, Cooper can look a touch stiff when asked to make lateral cuts or slip through a crease in the defensive line. Currently, he relies on brute force where a more agile back might glide through untouched. If Cooper can loosen up his hip movements and develop more fluidity then sharper cuts would allow him to leverage his size and momentum without needing to bulldoze every defender in his path. It’s a trait that needs some improvement, not a flaw. These things can develop with more reps and time in an elite collegiate strength and conditioning program. If Cooper can make that developmental leap, the player who comes out on the other side carries some unmistakable Bijan Robinson energy. Robinson was a big, physical, three-down workhorse who can do real damage in the run game while being a genuine weapon in the passing game and a reliable presence in pass protection.
The path to meaningful playing time in 2026 may not be immediate. Texas brought in a pair of transfer running backs in NC State’s Hollywood Smothers and Arizona State’s Raleek Brown, both of whom bring the kind of agility and change-of-pace quickness that offensive coordinators love to deploy. Neither profile particularly overlaps with what Cooper brings. Smothers and Brown are your shifty, explosive options, not your between-the-tackles bruisers. Cooper’s unique blend of power running and, perhaps most critically, his already-evident pass protection awareness could carve out a genuine role for him. He is the kind of back that coaches find a way to get on the field. If the development continues at the rate the Longhorns staff is describing, Derreck Cooper could be the next great thing to come out of Chaminade-Madonna. Even better, Derreck Cooper can be the next great running back to come out of the University of Texas.
Miami - WR - Milan Parris
Milan Parris arrives at Miami as one of the more intriguing freshman wide receivers in the class. Originally committed to Iowa State, his recruitment surged late after a dominant senior season at Walsh Jesuit. Offers from Oregon, Oklahoma, and Auburn followed, but he ultimately chose Miami. That late rise carries weight. When a prospect gains traction because of real production and verified traits rather than offseason buzz, it often points to legitimate long-term upside.
Physically, Parris stands out immediately. At nearly 6’6” and 205 lbs, paired with a 4.54-second forty and a 37-inch vertical, he brings a rare blend of size and athleticism. He plays like a power forward on the outside, using length and body control to dominate at the catch point. His catch radius is already elite, allowing him to win even when defensive backs are in strong position.
Contested catches are his strength, and what are typically 50-50 balls often tilt heavily in his favor thanks to his reach and timing.
His production backs up the traits. As a senior, Parris totaled 50 receptions for 785 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning All-Ohio honors while leading his team to the state semifinals. The year before, he averaged over 21 yards per catch with nine scores on just 28 receptions. That efficiency highlights more than red-zone dominance. It shows real vertical ability and big-play potential. He is not limited to jump-ball situations. He can stretch the field and create explosive plays.
Parris projects naturally as a boundary X receiver. His frame allows quarterbacks to trust him in tight coverage, especially on fades, back-shoulder throws, and sideline routes. In the red zone, he is an immediate mismatch. His timing and aggressiveness at the catch point are advanced for his age, traits that often translate early even while other parts of a receiver’s game are still developing.
His speed adds another layer. A 4.54 forty at his size forces defenders to respect the deep ball. Corners who turn and run too early open space underneath, while those who sit on shorter routes risk getting beaten over the top. That combination of size and vertical threat naturally expands passing windows and puts stress on defensive coverages. One underrated part of his profile is his blocking. Parris plays with effort and physicality in the run game, something coaches value, especially for younger receivers competing for snaps. That willingness can help him earn early playing time and build trust within the offense.
Miami’s receiver room is talented, so Parris may not see immediate volume. Still, that situation can work in his favor from a long-term perspective. Players with his physical tools and ball skills often need only a few standout plays to generate momentum. A short stretch of highlight moments could quickly elevate his stock.
He will need to improve his release against press coverage and continue adding strength. Like many taller receivers, maintaining consistency in his route running will be key. Those are coachable details, though. His size, length, and athletic ability are not. Parris represents a classic high-upside investment. He may require patience early, but the long-term outlook is clear. If his development matches his traits, he has the potential to grow into a true boundary alpha and eventual NFL prospect worth tracking closely.
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Thank you for reading our fourth article in our Prospect Galaxy series. If you enjoyed this read then subscribe to our substack to get notified when Article V: Program Strikes Back releases on April 25, 2026.
This article was put together by the members of the High Council, Tom Harvey (The Devy Titan), SC Romero (The Devy Prime), & Spencer (The Devy Oracle).