Freshman Running Back Shines in Alabama Football Scrimmage

EJ Crowell sidelined, but Trae'Shawn Brown and Kevin Riley impress coaches

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:50pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of crimson, white, and gray depicts an abstract college football running play, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes that convey a sense of explosive movement and competition.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and physicality of Alabama's running game as young backs vie for playing time.Tuscaloosa Today

Despite Alabama freshman running back EJ Crowell missing much of spring practice due to a calf injury, other young backs like Trae'Shawn Brown and Kevin Riley have stepped up and impressed the coaching staff during the Crimson Tide's second spring scrimmage.

Why it matters

Alabama's running game is a key part of their offensive identity, and the development of the younger backs behind star Jahmyr Gibbs will be crucial for the Tide's success next season. Strong performances from Brown and Riley in Crowell's absence could earn them more playing time in the fall.

The details

Crowell, a highly touted freshman, has been sidelined with a calf injury for most of spring practice, but Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy DeBoer said Riley and Brown have taken advantage of the extra reps. DeBoer praised Riley's burst and ability to find holes, as well as Brown's physicality and instincts in short-yardage situations.

  • Alabama will take the weekend off before returning to practice on Tuesday, April 7.
  • A-Day, the team's annual spring game, is scheduled for next Saturday, April 11, inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The players

EJ Crowell

A highly touted Alabama freshman running back who has been sidelined with a calf injury for much of spring practice.

Kevin Riley

An Alabama running back who impressed coaches with his burst and ability to find holes during the team's second spring scrimmage.

Trae'Shawn Brown

An Alabama freshman running back who showed physicality and instincts in short-yardage situations during spring practice.

Tommy DeBoer

The offensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

Jahmyr Gibbs

Alabama's star running back, whose development of the younger backs behind him will be crucial for the team's success next season.

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What they’re saying

“EJ [Crowell] hasn't practiced since last week, so probably more of the same for next week.”

— Tommy DeBoer, Offensive Coordinator

“I thought Kevin Riley, when he had seams to hit, he accelerated, showed some good bursts. He's got a good knack in between, slithering through, and finding those holes.”

— Tommy DeBoer, Offensive Coordinator

“And so, you know, the guy that I thought had a nice week was Trae'Shawn [Brown]. Showed it, you know, a little bit today in the scrimmage, but I thought throughout the week, there was some live session, short yardage goal line, and things like that, that he shows some pop. He showed some instinctiveness on how to get that first down when it's third-and-two, fourth-and-one, whatever it might be.”

— Tommy DeBoer, Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

Alabama will take the weekend off before returning to practice on Tuesday, April 7. A-Day, the team's annual spring game, is scheduled for next Saturday, April 11, inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The takeaway

With star running back Jahmyr Gibbs returning, Alabama's running game will be a key part of their offensive identity next season. The strong performances from young backs like Trae'Shawn Brown and Kevin Riley in Crowell's absence could earn them more playing time and help provide depth behind Gibbs in the fall.