Alabama remains optimistic about former 5-Star running back despite him missing A-Day

Photo via Alabama Athletics

Alabama football’s freshman running back and former five-star EJ Crowell did not participate in A-Day and was seen wearing a boot and riding a scooter when the Tide took the field.

Alabama’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Crowell was dealing with a soft-tissue injury earlier in the spring. He did participate in some of the Tide’s early spring practices, and the Alabama native showed enough for Kalen DeBoer to remain confident in his potential.

“With EJ, just not a lot of reps the first couple practices and really nothing since,” DeBoer said during his press conference after A-Day. “So, it is you’re going off of what you saw there and you have optimism. There’s a lot to learn for him, even just the contact, the physicality that comes along with the next level up. But from athleticism, speed, got the strength, you’re optimistic. There’s a lot of promise.”

DeBoer feels Crowell will need to put his head down and work on and off the field this offseason if he wants to make an early impact after dealing with his injury this spring.

“It’s going to be pedal to the metal for him, learning the schemes, getting comfortable with the guys around him,” DeBoer said. “Obviously, there’s pass protection that’s highly important for a running back as well.”