5-star freshman RB EJ Crowell missed valuable reps this spring with a soft-tissue injury. The last time Alabama fans saw the prized recruit, he was riding a scooter and wearing a boot during the A-Day scrimmage instead of giving fans their first real look at the future of the Crimson Tide's backfield.
A lot of eggs are in the Crowell basket for Alabama next season as the Tide looks to bounce back from arguably the worst rushing performance in the history of the program. Alabama wasn't just bad at running the football; it was one of the worst in the entire country, finishing 132nd out of 136 FBS programs in rushing success rate, per Game on Paper.
No matter who wins the starting quarterback job between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, and no matter how well either plays, Alabama's offense won't be any better than it was last season if it can't run the football more effectively. That starts with the offensive line up front, but it extends to a running back room that has been lacking a true difference-maker.
Crowell projects to be that guy. The missed reps in spring haven't changed that.
Kalen DeBoer still has high expectations for EJ Crowell as a freshman
“When he’s healthy, he’s got to get incorporated full-fledged with some urgency with as much as he can handle, and be a part of a running back corps, and go compete for that playing time to help us be at our best,” DeBoer said, via Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News.
Alabama attempted to make a splash in the Transfer Portal for a difference-maker at RB. The Tide initially landed a commitment from NC State's Hollywood Smothers before he ultimately flipped to Texas.
DeBoer and company never pivoted at the position, ultimately landing a late commitment from a depth piece in Appalachian State's Khalifa Keith, relying on organic growth from its returning running backs, as well as Crowell and fellow freshman Trae'shawn Brown to help the room take a step forward.
Daniel Hill dropped some weight this offseason in an effort to add some explosion. He'll likely be first up in the RB rotation when the season starts in September. But it's obvious that the ceiling of the room rests in the arms of Crowell, a potential superstar in the making.
Despite the setback in the spring, Crowell still projects to be a major piece of the puzzle for the Crimson Tide's offense in 2026. His ability to pick things up this summer, along with getting (and staying) healthy, will be pivotal.
DeBoer clearly knows it.
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