EJ Crowell Arrived With Hype at Alabama, But Kalen DeBoer Won't Let Expectations Rush Him

Kalen DeBoer is embracing the buzz around freshman running back EJ Crowell, but he's drawing a hard line: hype won't speed up development. The highly touted prospect rolled into Tuscaloosa with serious momentum, except his first spring didn't exactly go as planned. Crowell battled injury issues that sidelined him for chunks of practice time and had him rolling through the A-Day scrimmage on a medical scooter with his right foot in a boot. The good news? Team officials expect him back at full strength by June.

Staying Engaged While Sidelined

Missing time on the field didn't mean Crowell disappeared from the program. DeBoer made a point to highlight how the freshman stayed locked in even when he couldn't practice full contact. "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."

That presence mattered. While Crowell couldn't get full reps, coaches used the downtime to help him understand the system and soak up team culture. DeBoer stressed that Crowell kept his head on straight and stayed humble throughout recovery, a sign of the mental side that separates talented kids from guys who actually make it.

Big Expectations, Crowded Backfield

Crowell showed up with a dominant high school resume and immediate pressure to produce. Alabama's rushing attack struggled last season, and the program views the freshman as a potential answer. But DeBoer isn't treating him like a savior. The running back group is loaded, and Crowell is competing for his role like everyone else. The message is clear: stay hungry, stay focused, and let the work speak for itself.

QB Battle Still Wide Open

While Crowell finds his footing, Alabama's quarterback decision remains completely unsettled. After Ty Simpson headed to the NFL, DeBoer confirmed that Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will battle it out straight into fall camp with no clear winner yet. "I don't have that news ready," DeBoer told AL.com. "Sorry… but just not quite there yet. So, need to wait. We need to wait a little bit, probably into fall camp, probably before the season starts."

Russell flashed upside with four touchdowns during the A-Day scrimmage and showed dynamic playmaking, while Mack brings experience and system familiarity. Neither fully nailed expectations during the scrimmage, though circumstances limited how much coaches could evaluate. Alabama will keep weighing Russell's ceiling against Mack's reliability as kickoff draws closer.

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