The high school football season in Alabama may be officially in the books, but the impact of its top talent is still echoing across the state-and beyond. With seven state champions crowned at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium and another dominant showing by Alabama’s all-stars in their annual clash with Mississippi, the final chapter of this recruiting cycle is nearly complete. All that’s left are a couple of All-American showcases in Florida and Texas, but for most of the state’s top prospects, the story is already written.
And make no mistake-this year, that story has a clear headliner.
EJ Crowell: The Crown Jewel of Alabama’s 2025 Class
If there was any doubt about who the best player in the state is, Jackson’s EJ Crowell erased it with authority. The Alabama signee didn’t just show up-he took over.
First, he torched the Class 4A state championship game for 304 rushing yards and five touchdowns, leading Jackson to its second straight title. Then, he followed it up in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game with another MVP performance: 10 carries, 61 yards, and a touchdown.
And that’s not even counting a 51-yard score that was wiped out by a holding call far from the action.
Crowell’s combination of power, vision, and breakaway speed has made him a nightmare for defenses all season. He’s not just a stat sheet stuffer-he’s a tone-setter. His back-to-back MVP performances, on the biggest stages, cemented his spot at No. 1 in the final Best in Bama rankings, which evaluate the top recruits in the state regardless of class.
Zion Crumpton: The Fastest Riser in the State
While Crowell held steady at the top, another name surged up the board with a performance that turned heads: Zion Crumpton of Carver-Montgomery. Crumpton, a Mississippi State signee, jumped 14 spots to No. 26 after flashing his versatility in the all-star game. He hauled in a 17-yard touchdown from Clemson-bound quarterback Brock Bradley, tapping both feet in bounds for one of the game’s most impressive highlights.
Crumpton played quarterback for Carver this season, but his future is at wide receiver-and he showed why. He also handled deep-snapping duties on field goals, underscoring just how many ways he can contribute. It’s easy to see why he’s now considered one of the most dynamic and under-the-radar athletes in the state.
More Stars Shine in Alabama’s All-Star Rout
Alabama rolled to a 40-10 win over Mississippi in the all-star showdown, and several other top recruits made their mark. CD Morgan of Benjamin Russell-another Alabama signee and Crowell’s future roommate-caught a touchdown and held firm at No. 4 in the rankings.
Corey Barber of Clay-Chalkville, who inked with LSU, also found the end zone and moved up two spots to No. 6.
These performances weren’t just highlight-reel material-they confirmed what scouts and coaches have been seeing all year. Alabama’s top-tier talent isn’t just deep; it’s game-ready.
Power 4 Pipeline: Every Senior Signs On
Every senior in the Best in Bama rankings has signed with a Power 4 program, a testament to the strength of this class. Alabama leads the way with seven signees, including Crowell, Morgan, and rising junior standout from Vigor.
Auburn picked up three top-tier players, including Wadley linebacker Jaquez Wilkes. North Carolina also landed three, showing the Tar Heels’ growing presence in the Southeast.
Florida and Mississippi State each signed two, while individual talents are heading to Oregon, LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Miami, Wake Forest, Purdue, and Ohio State.
Class Breakdown: Talent Across the Board
The Best in Bama list isn’t just about seniors. Here’s how the rankings stack up across classes:
- Seniors (26): Including the top two overall, and 24 more spread throughout the top 50.
- Juniors (15): A strong group led by the No. 3-ranked player, showing that next year’s class is already making noise.
- Sophomores (5) and Freshmen (2): Future stars already making an impact.
- 8th-graders (2): Yes, even the middle schoolers are getting noticed-proof that the talent pipeline in Alabama is as deep as it is wide.
High Schools That Delivered
Jackson High School leads all programs with four players in the top 50, including the No. 1 overall prospect and two other Power 4 signees. Thompson and Williamson each placed three players, while schools like Benjamin Russell, Saraland, and Booker T. Washington-Tuskegee had multiple standouts as well.
This kind of depth across programs-from powerhouse schools to smaller programs-shows just how rich the football culture is in Alabama. Talent is everywhere, and it’s being developed at a high level.
Looking Ahead
While the All-American games still remain, for most of these athletes, the next chapter is already underway. Signing day has come and gone, and the future is set.
For players like EJ Crowell, the spotlight now shifts to college football, where expectations will be sky-high. For rising juniors and underclassmen, the bar has been set-and it’s a high one.
But if this year’s Best in Bama list tells us anything, it’s that Alabama football is in good hands for years to come.