The most anticipated freshman for Alabama fans this year is 5-star RB EJ Crowell. He's one of the most anticipated freshmen in a long time. And while patience will be key as he develops at his own pace, it appears a near certainty that the blue-chip youngster is going to make a quick impact in Tuscaloosa.
Improving the run game has been a huge focal point of the offseason for Kalen DeBoer and the coaching staff. Changes on the offensive line were necessary, but they need a real difference-maker to emerge at RB.
Daniel Hill has put in the work to take his game to the next level, and AK Dear and Kevin Riley should take a step forward. But there's little doubt that Crowell is the most talented player in the RB room. That's been obvious already in fall camp.
Crowell is already turning heads. His teammates have taken notice of his immense ability.
On Saturday at Alabama Fan and Media Day, Tide 100.9's Wyatt Fulton asked sophomore defensive lineman London Simmons if there was a player in practice who had been "popping", someone who has put in the work and it's going to pay off this year. Simmons gave a direct answer.
"EJ Crowell, for sure," Simmons said.
Alabama DL London Simmons expects big things from 5-star freshman RB EJ Crowell
Simmons knows what it takes to get on the field as a freshman. He wasn't nearly as highly regarded in the 2025 recruiting class as Crowell was in the 2026 cycle, but Simmons still found a way to earn significant playing time as a true freshman.
Simmons took advantage of the opportunity last season, playing in all 15 games and earning two starts. He's a projected starter at DT for the Crimson Tide this year, despite the DL rotation looking much deeper than it was a year ago.
Crowell missed most of the spring with an injury, which cost him some valuable reps on the field. The opportunity was still there to take advantage of mental reps, which will be just as critical in his ability to earn playing time as a freshman.
If Crowell can quickly integrate himself and develop as a pass blocker, then the sky is the limit for him even as a freshman. He's drawn comparisons, at least impact-wise, to Ohio State freshman back Bo Jackson from a year ago. It took Jackson a few weeks, but he ended up being the featured back for the Buckeyes, eclipsing 1000 yards on the ground last season.
Obviously, Ohio State had better play from its offensive line than Alabama did in 2025. That will go a long way in determining Crowell's immediate impact, too. But if Crowell is who he appears to be, and if Hill has truly taken a step forward, there's a real chance this RB room is much better than it is being credited for in the preseason.
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