At 5–11 and 210 pounds, Ezavier “EJ” Crowell is one of the most heralded running backs in the Class of 2026. Originally part of the 2027 cycle, the Jackson, Alabama native reclassified to 2026—a clear signal of his intent to play college football sooner and make an immediate impact .
Crowell’s résumé speaks volumes. As a sophomore, he racked up 1,964 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, then followed that with 1,737 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023. Including six receiving scores, he’s tallied an astounding 62 total touchdowns over two seasons . That production has earned him a five‑star ranking: No. 31 overall prospect, No. 2 RB, and No. 3 player in Alabama, per On3 .
His recruitment funnel has narrowed to five elite programs: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, and Texas. Among them, Alabama has been widely viewed as the frontrunner—with an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projecting Crowell’s odds of choosing Bama at around 94% . Alabama reportedly hosted Crowell more times than any other school—nine visits in total—compared to Texas (two visits, including an early-June official) .
Still, Texas has made significant inroads. He took two unofficial visits-plus a June 6–8 official visit where he “felt at home.” On3’s Inside Texas report notes Crowell was “enamored with Texas … loved how they welcomed my family … and how [they] broke down how I can be a weapon in the offense.” His comfort level, and promise of being a focal point in Austin, have kept the Longhorns strong in contention .
Decision day is here: Crowell is scheduled to announce his commitment on Thursday, June 26, likely via social media . The timing aligns with a wave of other top‑tier recruits choosing schools in late June, but Crowell’s announcement might be the most significant of the bunch—he’s a game‑changer.
For Texas, landing Crowell would address a critical roster need: with Tre Wisner and CJ Baxter nearing the end of eligibility, the Longhorn backs room requires new elite talent . Meanwhile, Alabama would cement its reputation for recruiting power at the position.
The countdown to Thursday is on. Will Crowell don burnt orange or roll with crimson? Either way, this decision will reverberate across the college football landscape.
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