Fresh off a suspension, 5-star Alabama commit dominates in 2025 debut

5-star Alabama RB commitment Ezavier "EJ" Crowell was forced to miss the season opener of his final season of high school football last week. He was suspended for an amateurism violation. The reason was ridiculous, and proved costly as Jackson lost their season opener to Saraland without their star running back.

Crowell felt he had something to prove in his first game back from suspension on Friday night. The elite ball-carrier wasted little time picking up right where he left off from a dominant season a year ago.

Crowell carried the ball 11 times, producing 242 yards and three touchdowns. A ridiculous game even by his lofty standards. That's 22 yards per carry if you don't feel like doing the math.

Crowell showed off his vast array of skills in his debut. It's easy to see why he reclassified into the 2026 recruiting class. Crowell should be in his junior season, but he's truly a man amongst boys in high school right now.

In the two previous seasons, Crowell rushed for 3701 yards and 56 touchdowns. He looks to be preparing for an even more dominant finale.

EJ Crowell will bring dominant running back to Alabama

It has been a couple of years since Alabama had a truly dominant running back. During the Nick Saban era, elite running backs were a dime a dozen. From Mark Ingram to Trent Richardson to Eddie Lacy to TJ Yeldon to Derrick Henry, and so on and so forth. It's been a couple of years since Alabama has had a true difference-maker in the backfield. Jahmyr Gibbs was the last one.

Crowell may be the next one.

A healthy Jam Miller could be pretty good when he returns, but Crowell is special. He's an elite player, who looks like a future first-round NFL Draft pick. Even in a pass-happy system like Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb run, Crowell will be an immediate difference maker.

He might even force them to change their philosophy. He's that good and that important to the future of the RB position for the Crimson Tide.