3 Alabama freshmen named to Shaun Alexander Award Watch List

Three Alabama football freshmen were named to the Shaun Alexander Award Watch List on Wednesday.

The award is given annually to the best freshman player in college football.

The last Alabama player to win the award was Caleb Downs in 2023. Will Anderson won the award in 2020.

Keelon Russell, Jireh Edwards and EJ Crowell were named to the watch list.

Russell’s listed as a sophomore due to the NCAA’s 5 for 5 rule. The rule eliminated redshirts, taking away the quarterback’s ability to identify as a redshirt freshman. However, the award appears to still be considering players who were suppose to be redshirt freshmen.

Edwards and Crowell are both true freshmen. However, both are dealing with injuries at the moment, and it is a bit unclear when they will be available to play this fall.

Crowell and Edwards were both considered elite prospects.