Freshman RB Expected to be Healthy by June

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke to the media for the first time following A-Day on Wednesday morning in Birmingham at the Regions Pro Am. The Crimson Tide's head coach was asked about the status of freshman running back EJ Crowell, a former five-star signee with the Crimson Tide.

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"I think by the time we get into June, he'll be in a good spot," DeBoer told reporters on Wednesday morning. "That's everything I'm hearing and feeling, and that's going to be really critical for him to get the summer in.

"Not just from a workout standpoint, but they run the player-run practices. Just any reps for him are good, quality ways for him to continue to improve in his development here, especially early in his career."

Crowell, a former five-star signee for the Crimson Tide in the 2026 recruiting class, reclassifed from the 2027 class to the 2026 class and enrolled in January with most of Alabama's early signees. He missed most of spring practice with a right calf injury that limited his reps and held him out of scrimmages.

The five-star running back from Jackson, Alabama, rushed for 2,632 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior with the Jackson Aggies, winning a 4A State Championship and being named the Gatorade Player of the Year and the Zaxbys Player of the Year. He was expected to compete for early playing time in Alabama's backfield before injuries limited his reps during spring.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.