Alabama’s opener against East Carolina comes with one big question mark attached: whether five-star freshman running back EJ Crowell will be on the field.
Crowell, the most buzzed-about true freshman on the roster, has been battling an ankle injury and has missed every one of Alabama’s spring and fall scrimmages. That had pointed toward a cautious start to his college career, but there was a notable shift on Monday when Ryan Grubb said he believed Crowell would be available and ready for Week 1.
The latest update still leaves things unsettled. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Crowell is a game-time decision for Saturday’s matchup with ECU.
Alabama’s official depth chart on Friday added another wrinkle. Crowell was listed fourth among the running backs, but with an “OR” designation alongside Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley and AK Dear, which technically puts him in co-starter territory.
The expectation, if he does go, is that Alabama will bring him along slowly. He’s too important to rush, especially with a season ahead and an SEC opener at Kentucky next week. The Crimson Tide need Crowell long term far more than they need him overloaded in his first college game.
That’s why even if he suits up in Bryant-Denny, a heavy workload doesn’t sound likely. The read is that Alabama would ease him in, with something in the range of 5-10 touches feeling more realistic than a true featured role.
Crowell’s arrival has carried a lot of weight because Alabama has been looking for a back with this kind of upside. He was the most highly anticipated true freshman in the program this season, fresh off one of the most prolific high school careers in the history of the state.
There’s also another freshman who has helped change the tone in the backfield. Three-star Trae'shawn Brown has been one of the offseason surprises, and the Texas native appears headed for a meaningful role as well.
Even without a major transfer addition, Alabama has raised the ceiling in the room with Crowell and Brown. If Hill and Riley are improved from last season, and AK Dear can build on his strong fall camp once he returns from injury, this could end up being one of the more underrated running back groups in the country.
In Other News...
Alabama's Opener Exposed Two Concerns Fans Can't Ignore
Alabama opened the 2026 season with a win over East Carolina, giving Kalen DeBoer a clean start to his third year on the sideline, but the game still offered an early read on where this team stands. Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell made his first career start and looked composed enough to settle things down, using his athleticism to help keep the offense moving, while Ryan Coleman-Williams provided a real vertical threat with more than 100 receiving yards.
Even so, the Tide left with a few reminders that September can be revealing in ways a final score does not fully show. The defense looked more ready for SEC-level football than the offense did, and the issues up front on the offensive line were hard to miss as Alabama tried to sort out protection and consistency. Coleman-Williams big day also came with some costly drops, leaving the passing game with both promise and proof that there is still cleanup work to do before the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Young Offense Has One More Thing To Prove In Second Half
At halftime, Alabama has more than enough cushion against East Carolina, but the game has still offered a useful snapshot of where this young offense is growing and where it still needs work. The ground game has carried the day, the offensive line has given freshman quarterback Keelon Russell a clean pocket, and the defense has mostly done its job against the run while helping the Tide build a 38-7 lead.
The next step is a familiar one for Alabamas offense: making life easier on Russell by creating more separation on the outside and turning good protection into cleaner, quicker answers downfield. The defense has been sturdy in the trenches, but it has also shown a willingness to give up explosive plays when communication slips, which is the sort of detail that can matter more against better competition than it has in a lopsided first half here. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Familiar Worry With Its Most Explosive Receiver
The opening game of the season brought an old concern back into view for Alabama, as Ryan Coleman-Williams had another rough day at the catch point. The explosive receiver has been central to what the Crimson Tide want to do offensively, and his ability to turn chances into chunk plays remains a key part of Alabamas hopes heading into the rest of the year.
Coleman-Williams did spend the offseason trying to clean up the issue, making changes aimed at improving his hands and sharpening his reliability. Even so, the early signs were a reminder that Alabamas passing attack may have to keep living with a little volatility from one of its most dangerous weapons, which is not exactly the kind of tradeoff a contender wants to carry for long. [Read more 🡒]