Alabama freshman running back EJ Crowell hasn’t been on the field much in the first half of his rookie season, but the message from the Crimson Tide’s staff is pretty clear: this is about the long game.
Crowell played just three snaps in the first three quarters of Saturday’s win at Mississippi State, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Monday that the limited workload made sense because Crowell “doesn't have the whole offense down” after missing significant time in spring and fall camp with injured.
Running backs coach Robert Gillespie expanded on that theme Thursday in an interview with Alabama’s NIL entity, Yea Alabama, and he painted Crowell as a player who is handling the waiting game the right way.
"He's patient, he's humble. I think everybody sees a five star and thinks all these guys are movie stars because of that, but that kid is very humble," Gillespie said.
"He's very aware that his best football is ahead of him. He meets with me every day, constantly wanting to know all the small details about being a complete running back.
"That's what it's about: everybody knows he's a guy when you touch the ball, he can make a play, but he understands that in order to be a great back, he has to do all the small things when he doesn't have the ball."
Through five games, Crowell has played 43 offensive snaps, which is third among Alabama running backs. He has carried the ball 26 times for 204 yards.
Freshman Trae'shawn Brown has seen more action, logging 105 snaps, while Daniel Hill leads the group with 144. Brown has rushed 42 times for 211 yards.
Gillespie also pointed to a familiar Alabama example when talking about patience, bringing up Derrick Henry and his freshman numbers.
"I meet with TB and EJ everyday, and yesterday I shared with them that there was a great running back here in 2013 who had [35] carries for [382] yards as a freshman," Gillespie said of former Alabama running back Derrick Henry. "Those guys have that almost right now.
"The patience of a guy like him showed -- he's one of the greatest running backs to ever play here, or the greatest and going to be a Hall of Famer. So those guys understand the patience and those guys are ready to become good football players.
"EJ is a talented kid. He's going to be a phenomenal football player, and the way he works -- both those kids are best friends and I enjoy coaching them."
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For Alabama, that adds another layer to a game already shaped by availability and depth, especially against a Georgia group trying to piece together its rotation on the fly. The injury report leaves the Bulldogs with multiple names off the board heading into one of the seasons most watched SEC matchups, and it is a reminder that the margin in games like this often starts well before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
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Sabans praise for Georgia only sharpens the intrigue, since he called the Bulldogs one of the most complete teams in the country and acknowledged how dominant they have been so far. Alabama also has recent history to answer for, after Georgia beat the Tide 28-7 in the SEC Championship, so this meeting has the makings of more than just another high-end showdown. It is another chance for Alabama to show where it stands against the team that has set the tone in the conference. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Could Get A Needed Offensive Boost For Georgia
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For Alabama, any added help in the passing game and as a blocker matters in a matchup where depth can tilt the margins. Georgia is getting running back Nate Frazier back from bruised ribs, while Chauney Bowens is out, and the broader SEC injury picture also includes Florida receiver Vernell Brown III as a game-time decision and Tennessee turning to George MacIntyre after the injury to Faizon Brandon. [Read more 🡒]