Alabama freshman running back expected to be a part of the puzzle for Tide, per DeBoer

Kalen DeBoer feels EJ Crowell has a chance to be a part of the puzzle at running back for the Crimson Tide this fall.

Crowell is a product of Jackson High School in Alabama, and is a former five-star recruit. After being limited in the spring with a ‘soft-tissue’ injury as an early enrollee, DeBoer still feels Crowell has the tools needed to make an impact in year one in Tuscaloosa.

“He shows so many things,” DeBoer said on the SEC Network at SEC Media Days. “We didn’t get a chance to see him in the spring just with some injury pieces that were going on. A lot of the tools that you feel lead to being a great running back, he certainly has those. He’s got a work ethic to support those goals that he has. I’d like to think that he’s gonna be a piece of the puzzle when it comes to our running back position that’s going to be instrumental to us being as successful as we want to be.”

Alabama football will enter the 2026 season hoping to be more successful running the football after a lackluster 2025 season on the ground. The door is expected to be wide open for any running back to take control of the Tide’s lead back position this fall.

Fall camp will be crucial for the position.