Arizona State added another piece to its 2027 recruiting haul on Monday morning, landing Alabama running back CJ Cowley after he announced his commitment on X.
Cowley picked the Sun Devils over a long list of suitors that included Indiana, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, Auburn and others. He had just visited Tempe over the weekend and shared photos from the trip before making his decision public.
“First, I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and guiding my path,” Cowley wrote. “Thank you to my family, coaches, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I’m excited to announce that I have officially committed to Arizona State University!”
Cowley, who plays at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, describes himself on X as an all-purpose running back, and his production fits that label. Through his senior season, he has 13 total touchdowns and 757 all-purpose yards, according to MaxPreps.
That total includes 455 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, plus 302 receiving yards and five receiving scores. He also has five games with at least 100 all-purpose yards, including two outings with 130 yards and multiple touchdowns.
At 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, Cowley gives Arizona State a back who can move around the formation and do a little bit of everything. That kind of versatile role has become a familiar one in Kenny Dillingham’s program.
Cowley is the 13th commitment in Arizona State’s 2027 class. The Sun Devils’ incoming group now includes 10 three-stars and two four-stars, with plenty still left to shake out in the cycle.
Here’s the current list of commitments in Tempe: Nico Bland, WR, Orange, CA; Jake Hildebrand, OT, Chandler, AZ; Weston Nielsen, QB-PP, Bastrop, TX; Nasim Eason, CB, Gilbert, AZ; Dylin Bruce, CB, Huntington Beach, CA; Tycen Johnson, WR, Temecula, CA; Marshaun Ivy, ILB, Saint Louis, MO; Kingston Anetema, ATH, Torrance, CA; Caleb Camping, TE-H, Fort Collins, CO; Mikey Barth, K, Chandler, AZ; Magic Haynes, DE, Compton, CA; and Noah Reid, OT, Shawnee Mission, KS.
Cowley joins that group as a three-star, even though he was listed as a four-star earlier in his high school career. Arizona State has leaned on freshmen this season, and with the transfer portal constantly reshaping rosters, the Sun Devils are banking on their next wave of young talent to matter in the same way down the road.
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