A Historic Opportunity for a Freshman
Alabama’s head coach Kalen DeBoer has made it clear that freshman running back EJ Crowell will fight for a spot on the roster despite a lingering injury.
If Crowell can stay healthy and dominate the backfield, he could become the first freshman in more than four decades to lead the Crimson Tide in rushing yards, a feat last achieved by Gene Jelks in 1985.
Crowell arrives in Tuscaloosa with a high school résumé that includes 6,333 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns, and he was recently re‑classified from the 2027 to the 2026 recruiting class, moving him into the 2026 cohort.
His potential impact is amplified by the legacy of Alabama’s freshman backs, from Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon to more recent stars like Najee Harris and Derrick Henry, who all made early splashes before becoming workhorses for the program.
DeBoer emphasized that the coaching staff will monitor Crowell’s workload carefully, but the excitement is palpable as the team looks to revitalize a rushing attack that has relied on upperclassmen in recent seasons.