It was a milestone moment for Alabama’s newest five-star freshman, who earned his way to the top. Yet, the celebratory day took an emotional turn after running back Ezavier Crowell paused to give a heartwarming tribute to his late father. It indeed became a personal hallmark moment for him, sprinkled with a touch of class.

Strikingly, Crowell used the moment to reflect on his late father, crediting him as his greatest inspiration and admitting how much he still misses him.

“I wish my dad were here, but he’ll be watching me on Saturdays,” Crowell said during the award ceremony.

Although there’s limited information regarding the relationship he shared with his father, Crowell’s emotional state proves their bond. And yes, didn’t his son make him proud?

With the honor, Crowell became the first Alabama commit to win Mr. Football since Ryan Williams, who captured the award in both 2022 and 2023. Crowell’s remarkable season also earned him Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2025, along with Class 4A Back of the Year recognition as we celebrate the list of his achievements.

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The 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back was awarded the prestigious Mr. Football honor at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in Montgomery. The award recognized a historic performance in the Class 4A state championship, during which Crowell almost single-handedly carried Jackson High School.

He rushed for 304 yards on 25 carries and scored five touchdowns, leading his team to the title while breaking a 25-year-old record for the most rushing yards in a Class 4A championship game.

Adding to his list of accolades, Crowell broke the AHSAA record for most rushing yards in a Class 4A title game, surpassing the previous mark of 288 yards set by Rayvon Howard in 2000. During the 2025 season, he rushed for 2,620 yards on 207 carries and scored 35 touchdowns.

Over the course of his high school career, Crowell amassed 6,321 rushing yards and an astounding 91 touchdowns. With all the accolades coming his way, head coach DeBoer gave Crowell his flowers.

Kalen DeBoer praises Ezavier Crowell’s mentality

Now on campus, Crowell has wasted little time adjusting to life in Tuscaloosa, taking part in winter workouts and attending classes as he begins the transition to the Alabama lifestyle. That early commitment has not gone unnoticed by head coach Kalen DeBoer.

“When he decided to reclassify and come out a year early, we knew exactly where we needed to go,” DeBoer said during the Early Signing Period. “Getting him here is huge for us, for our program, and for the running back position. He’s a guy that finishes in the end zone, has that top-end ability, but also what he can do in a confined area is special.

Breaking tackles, bouncing off guys, running through them, making defenders miss, he’s an exciting athlete. A big athlete for how old he is right now, too. I can’t wait to get him in our program and get him working in the weight room.”

Crowell enters a crowded running back room that currently features five backs: Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, AK Dear, and Traeshawn Brown. With depth already in place, Crowell will have to earn his role.