Alabama 5-Star RB commit has golden opportunity on the horizon

© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ezavier Crowell, like many other top recruits, would love to come in and make it an immediate impact as a true freshman at Alabama, but it is not a top priority for him.

“That’s the goal to play early, but if I can’t, I just develop, and maybe my sophomore, junior, possibly senior year, I run the program,” Crowell told Touchdown Alabama in August.

While it may not be a priority for Crowell, the golden opportunity to do so looks to be on the horizon.

It is obvious Alabama football is struggling to run the football at the moment. Some point fingers at the Tide’s offensive line, others say Alabama’s running backs are to blame, Ty Simpson says it is a mental thing and Ryan Grubb thinks its a physical thing.

There is plenty of blame to go around. One can make an argument that all the afro mention points have some truth to them.

Alabama’s running back room currently features a variety of running backs. The Tide’s starting running back Jam Miller is the most well-rounded back of the group, but his vision is not that of an elite back. Daniel Hill is an athletic bruiser of a back but is not explosive. Kevin Riley is an explosive running back and although he runs tough, he does not pack a lot of power.

Richard Young, who has continued to fall on the depth chart, appeared to be struggling in a variety of areas when he did play when Miller was out. Dre Washington, who transferred from Louisiana, has a similar game to Hill’s at 5-foot-9 and 216 pounds.

AK Dear, who is the youngest of his group, is a player Alabama fans are currently really excited for and deservedly so but even he did not have as complete of a game coming out of Quitman High School  last year as Crowell currently possesses. To be honest, no running back on Alabama’s current roster did.

Look back at Alabama freshman RB Daniel Hill going back and forth with Tide priority RB target Akylin Dear when Quitman took on Meridian last season.

Was one of the better games I watched. pic.twitter.com/uBCsD0mgNS

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) July 11, 2024

Tuscaloosa County 4 ⭐️ RB and Miami commit, Kevin Riley @kevin_riley6 is one of the nation’s most explosive running backs.

The Canes’ commit is expected to put up big numbers this season. pic.twitter.com/WkD2C3AhF0

— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) August 15, 2023

Crowell already weighs more than 200 pounds and can run a sub-11 100-meter dash with a reported 10.63 PR in the event, just a few milliseconds off Ryan Williams’ high school personal best of 10.55 and Jaylen Mbakwe’s 10.46. So, the moment Crowell steps on campus, he is going to be expected to be one of the fastest players on the Tide’s roster.

The five-star’s athleticism is also head-turning. He has been able to dunk a basketball since he was a freshman, and his impressive hops remain intact. A play he hurdled over a defender went viral earlier this season and made ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10.

UNBELIEVABLE. Alabama RB Commit Ezavier Crowell just ran through the entire defense for 6. @EzavierCrowell

Alabama fans, this maybe the most dominate running back recruit you’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/V7yvqtbmWD

— Larry Rudolph (@ScoutFball) October 10, 2025

Crowell also has the luxury of playing with a four-star quarterback in Landon Duckworth. This has allowed him to showcase his ability to catch the football out of the field and get a feel for pass blocking.

Touchdown Alabama was able to put fresh eyes on Crowell in his first game of the 2025 season and was blown away by the vision, power and explosiveness he put on display.

Ezavier Crowell flashed multiple aspects of his game in the first half and showed why he is considered a complete back.

Power ✅

Explosiveness ✅

Athleticism ✅

Vision ✅@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/YK6ITuLqml

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) August 30, 2025

While he can not suit up and help the Tide improve its rushing attack this season, Crowell can play a role in making the Tide’s run game have a totally different look to it in 2026.