Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has said that freshman running back EJ Crowell will battle for snaps despite a lingering lower‑leg injury that has kept him out of much of the spring workouts.
The injury has limited Crowell’s participation, but the coaching staff remains confident that his skill set could translate into a breakout season if he stays healthy.
Crowell’s transition from the 2027 recruiting class to the 2026 cycle has added urgency to his development, and his high school résumé — over 6,300 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns — suggests a rare blend of power and efficiency, including an average of 11.7 yards per carry.
A Rare Benchmark
If he manages to top the Crimson Tide’s rushing yards in 2026, he would become the first freshman to achieve that feat in more than four decades, a milestone last recorded by Gene Jelks in 1985.
The conversation often returns to past Alabama backs such as Najee Harris, Derrick Henry, Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon, who each carved out legendary careers despite limited freshman exposure, as well as Camar Wheaton and Brian Robinson, who have also contributed to the program’s depth.
Coach DeBoer has hinted that Crowell’s work ethic and the support staff’s approach could finally bridge the gap that has kept Alabama’s freshman rushers from dominating the stat sheet.
The Path Forward
With the season still months away, the focus remains on conditioning and injury prevention. If Crowell can stay on the field, his performance could reshape expectations for freshmen in the SEC and reinforce Alabama’s reputation for developing elite running backs.