Alabama football is finally back this Saturday after a long offseason. For me, one of the most intriguing players on the roster could be freshman running back EJ Crowell. The five-star running back has yet to take a meaningful college snap, but his combination of size, explosiveness, and pedigree has this Alabama fan dreaming about him joining the other great Bama backs of the past. Could Crowell eventually become the next Damien Harris or Josh Jacobs?
Crowell appears on track to make his Crimson Tide debut on Saturday.
Alabama has been waiting for its next star RB
Alabama fans have been spoiled through the last few decades by great quarterbacks, receivers, and linebackers. The running back position over the last few decades may be the ultimate spoil of riches. Bama fans have had the luxury of the next man up every year at running back, and it seemed like, whoever it was, they were going to be the next thousand-yard rusher. They were going to be a star in college football. Mark Ingram. Trent Richardson. Eddie Lacy. Derrick Henry. Damien Harris. Josh Jacobs.
Well, that was until recently. Alabama hasn't had a thousand-yard rusher since Brian Robinson Jr. in 2021, and in 2025 the Tide's rushing attack averaged a measly 3.4 yards per carry. This is a horrid drought for a fanbase that is used to dominating running backs. Enter EJ Crowell.
The Hype Isn't Coming Out of Nowhere.
Now, hear me out. There is a difference between freshman hype and legitimate talent. Crowell appears to have both. Crowell was ranked as the No. 2 running back in the 2026 class by the 24/7Sports Composite and Consensus rankings. He was also among the top 20 overall recruits nationally.
He is 5-foot-11 and 224 pounds, giving him a physical frame to be more than just a change-of-pace back. He is going to be able to contribute in multiple areas. His high school tape is the reason expectations have gotten so high. He has the next-level acceleration to shoot the gap and go for long runs while also having the physical frame to bulldoze defenders. That combination has got me excited to see the ball in his hands this Saturday.
I'm not saying Crowell is Damien Harris or Josh Jacobs. He hasn't even played a college snap yet. Stylistically, though, the comparison holds. Harris had patience and vision to find the crease, and then accelerate and make defenses pay. Jacobs brought something different with his physicality and explosiveness. Crowell has the potential to combine elements of both.
He is big enough to handle an SEC workload and has the athleticism to turn the corner and provide the Tide with a combination that has been missing for a while. Alabama doesn't need another good back. Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, AK Dear, and Trae'shawn Brown give Alabama plenty of options. They need a game-changing back. It may take a couple of games. It may take till October or November. Crowell's talent is there, and I think Tide fans are going to see something special.
Damien Harris became one of Alabama's most reliable backs. Josh Jacobs became one of the most explosive. Crowell has the physical tools to potentially follow that path. After a few years of a lackluster running game, I am excited to see the first glimpse of possibly the next great Alabama running back.
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