On Monday, Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said he’s not surprised by the production coming from a freshman running back this season.
Former five-star running back EJ Crowell is one of the highest-rated running backs to ever sign with Alabama, and despite missing most of Alabama’s fall camp due to a lower-body injury, Crowell has shown up in both of the Crimson Tide’s wins this season.
In two games, Crowell has carried the ball 10 times for 54 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He’s also caught one pass for 13 yards.
“We’re not [surprised] just because the belief that we have in EJ and the type of player he is, you know, is really high,” Grubb said. “For him, it just seems nothing is too big for him. He certainly needs to clean up a few things, just understand the game plan, and that part for any freshman is always a build. That’s what EJ is still working towards is, you know, how you get him on the field more and get him more involved as his knowledge continues to build and understand that’s where the touches and more opportunities will come. But for him, it’s been a little bit more of a slow build because of that for sure, especially with the setback in fall camp, and now, he’s just done a great job here in the last couple of weeks embracing his role and attacking it.”
Crowell has scored a touchdown in both of Alabama’s wins this season, and he’s made the most of the opportunities he’s received.
It is fairly easy to see the belief that the staff has in Crowell. Despite missing most of fall camp and not scrimmaging, he was on the field early in the Crimson Tide’s game against East Carolina.
Crowell could find the end zone against this Saturday when the Crimson Tide host Florida State at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.
