EJ Crowell Arrives at Alabama With Huge Expectations, but Kalen DeBoer Isn't Letting the Hype Rush Him

Kalen DeBoer gets it. The freshman running back EJ Crowell showed up in Tuscaloosa with major buzz around his name, but the Alabama head coach is drawing a line in the sand right now: hype doesn't speed up development. That's the message, and DeBoer is sticking to it.

Crowell's spring didn't go the way anyone wanted. The highly touted freshman missed significant practice time because of an injury, and when A-Day rolled around, he was on a medical scooter with his right foot in a boot. Team officials expect him back to full health by June. It's not ideal timing for a guy with this much pressure on his shoulders, but DeBoer made sure Crowell stayed locked in the whole time.

Staying Engaged Through the Recovery

"He's also been a part of walk-throughs, position meetings," DeBoer told The Tuscaloosa News. "He's still in the weight room lifting. He's around his teammates. So there has been an easing in." The message is clear: you don't have to be on the field to be part of the program.

Those walk-throughs and meetings gave the coaching staff time to help Crowell understand the system and what it takes to fit into Alabama's culture. His absence slowed his on-field progress, but it didn't sideline him mentally or emotionally. DeBoer stressed that the freshman stayed humble and focused while fighting for a spot in a crowded running back room.

The stakes are real here. Alabama's rushing game was rough last season, and the program is looking at Crowell as a potential fix. He comes in with a dominant high school résumé, which only turns up the volume on expectations. But DeBoer isn't letting that dictate the timeline.

The QB Battle Stretches Into Fall

Meanwhile, Alabama is still sorting out who's going to lead the offense after Ty Simpson exited early to the NFL. The competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will bleed into fall camp, and DeBoer hasn't crowned a winner yet. Neither quarterback fully met expectations during the A-Day scrimmage, though the circumstances didn't give them a full showcase.

Russell threw four touchdowns and showed dynamic playmaking. Mack brings experience and familiarity with the system. It's upside versus steadiness, and DeBoer isn't rushing the call. "I don't have that news ready," he told AL.com. "Sorry, but just not quite there yet. So need to wait, probably into fall camp, probably before the season starts."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.