EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown made Alabama history in win over Florida State

Alabama's running game has been significantly improved from last season through the first three weeks of the season. After the win over Florida State, the Crimson Tide is up to 209 yards per game on the ground. That's double last season's yards-per-game total of 104.

The offensive line has taken major strides, and a physical tight end room is full of difference-makers as blockers. But a lot of credit goes to the running backs, who are night-and-day improved from last season. While junior Daniel Hill has been the RB1 and has taken a leap from where he was a year ago, a pair of freshmen have made a significant difference already.

EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown are off to impressive starts in their Alabama careers. Along with Hill, the trio is all averaging over five yards per carry. Last season, Alabama's three leading running backs - Hill, Jam Miller, and Kevin Riley - all averaged under four yards per carry.

The two freshmen aren't just off to good starts; they're off to historically good starts for Alabama. After both punched in touchdowns against Florida State for the third straight game, they became the first freshmen in Crimson Tide history to each score a touchdown in the first three games of their careers:

EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown are transforming the Alabama run game

Kalen DeBoer quietly has a good problem to solve in the coming weeks. AK Dear should be back any week now after missing the first three games. Dear was reportedly the best running back for Alabama in fall camp. But how do you get him carries at this point?

Hill is going to have a role with his ability to earn the tough yards. They are clearly ramping up Crowell for a significant role. He was actually the first RB off the bench against Florida State behind Hill. You can see the flashes with the former 5-star recruit. He should be a senior in high school right now after reclassifying from the 2027 class, and he's already making a real difference in Tuscaloosa.

Brown continues to impress, too. The under-the-radar 3-star recruit stood out the moment he stepped on campus. He was Alabama's leading rusher against the Seminoles, producing 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Alabama came into the season hoping to identify a difference-maker in the RB room after not having one over the last three seasons. Now, the Crimson Tide appears to have at least three, with a fourth ramping up to make his season debut soon.

Crowell and Brown have provided a much-needed spark to the RB room. Alabama didn't land the impact player in the Transfer Portal that many fans wanted at the position. Instead, they relied on organic growth and the hope that a freshman could step up and play a pivotal role.

They got two instead. And now Alabama's running game looks like an actual strength, instead of an albatross around their neck. And it should keep getting better as the line continues to gel together and the dynamic freshman duo gains more experience.

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