Jackson five-star running back E.J. Crowell is rated the nation’s No. 1 running back in the 2026 class, according to Rivals. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
Jackson’s E.J. Crowell, who is considered the nation’s top running back in the class of 2026, will reveal his college choice on June 26 at a commitment party, he announced on social media.
The five-star prospect dramatically moved up the timing of his commitment, which was originally planned for Dec. 31. Crowell said his final six schools are Alabama, Florida State, Texas, Georgia, Auburn and Florida.
Crowell will reveal his choice on June 26 at 6 p.m. at the Jackson Community House.
Wherever he goes, he said he wants to play immediately.
“This decision is going to have a huge impact on my future,” Crowell told the Call News when he reclassified to graduate early. “There are so many schools reaching out and it’s a blessing to have that kind of interest. But my main goal is to be a freshman All-American and make an immediate impact.”
Crowell (5-11, 210) — who is rated the No. 1 running back nationwide in the 2026 class by Rivals — has rushed for 3,701 yards and 56 touchdowns and averaged 11.1 yards per carry in two years on the Aggies’ varsity. Last year, he had 1,964 yards on 168 carries and 31 TDs to help Jackson to the Class 4A state championship. He ran for 140 yards on 12 carries and three TDs in the 69-6 win over Cherokee County in the Class 4A finals.
Crowell has scheduled official visits to, in chronological order, Georgia, Texas, Auburn, Florida State and Alabama before making his decision. He indicated as recently as last week that he is leaning toward Alabama.
“It is definitely a top school for me,” Crowell told Touchdown Alabama online earlier in May. “I see myself playing in crimson soon. But it comes down to how they would develop me as a person, player and everything else.”
