Highly anticipated freshman is officially set to make his debut for the Alabama Crimson Tide following update from OC Ryan Grubb
The Alabama Crimson Tide finally gets to spot the ball this weekend, and everyone wants to know what the offense and defense will look like in terms of play, but also in terms of health. We have a better idea after OC Ryan Grubb spoke to the media on Monday.
The Alabama Crimson Tide return to the field Saturday against East Carolina, and one of the biggest questions surrounding the offense just got a promising answer. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb confirmed that 5-star freshman running back E.J. Crowell will be available for the season opener, a development that carries significant weight given the current state of Alabama’s running back room.
When asked about the availability of certain offensive players on Monday, Grubb delivered the news Crimson Tide fans have been waiting for. As shared by Nick Kelly, of AL.com, Grubb said, “Yeah, we do expect to see [E.J. Crowell out there week 1 against ECU.]”
EJ Crowell 2025 stats
Played at Jackson High School
- 2.632 rushing yards
- 35 touchdowns
- 12.6 YPC average
Why this matters for Alabama’s backfield
This is massive news for Alabama because the running back room is banged up. AK Dear, the player who had been taking starting reps for the majority of fall camp, is out with an ankle injury expected to keep him sidelined somewhere between four to six weeks.
Crowell himself has dealt with a winding road to full health. The truth is, he’s been dinged up ever since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. He didn’t see much action in the spring because of an injury, dealt with lingering issues into the summer, and then faced similar setbacks when fall camp rolled around.
But it appears the freshman is officially ready to go, and his debut against ECU on Saturday could be one of the most-watched storylines of Alabama’s opener. Grubb even compared Crowell to Wolverine, given how fast he heals, a lighthearted but telling comment about how quickly the 5-star talent has bounced back from a frustrating stretch.
Crowell adds another layer to Alabama’s Week 1 intrigue
There’s no question that all eyes will be on quarterback Keelon Russell when Alabama takes the field for the first time in 2026. But Crowell’s availability gives the Crimson Tide offense another weapon to deploy, and with Dear sidelined, his role could be significant right out of the gate.
For a running back room that needed a boost, this is exactly the kind of news Alabama wanted heading into the opener. If Crowell is healthy and ready to contribute, it changes what Grubb can do schematically on Saturday.
Alabama kicks off the 2026 regular season against East Carolina on Saturday at 11 am central.
