Alabama running back Ezavier Crowell becomes first Mr. Football winner in Jackson history
Reading time: 3 minutes
The annual Alabama Sports Writers Association football banquet in Montgomery Tuesday which included announcing major awards including a Back and Lineman of the Year for each classification and the prestigious Mr. Football award.
And the state’s top recruit walked away with the award this year.
Ezavier “E.J” Crowell capped off his tremendous three-year high school career with the state’s top award.
Keep reading to learn more about his season and what comes next for Crowell + some of the other awards handed out during Tuesday’s banquet.
Ezavier Crowell
Crowell led Jackson to its second consecutive state championship last month, racking up 304 yards and five touchdowns in the title game at Protective Stadium.
The Mr. Football winner finished his final season with 2,632 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Other honors during his career have included:
- Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game MVP (2025)
- Super 7 Class 4A Championship MVP (2025)
- MaxPreps Alabama Player of the Year (2025)
The 5-star recruit reclassified and has already signed with Alabama, starting his collegiate career earlier than normal. He is considered the third best recruit in Alabama’s Class of 2026, according to 247 Sports.
Alabama’s Mr. Football history
Crowell becomes the first Mr. Football in Jackson football history, stopping a run of three straight Mr. Football awards for Saraland.
It marks the fifth time in the last seven seasons that the award has gone to an Alabama commit.
Crowell is the first running back to win the award since Austin’s Asa Martin won in 2017.
Here’s the full list of Mr. Football winners:
- 2025: EJ Crowell, Jackson
- 2024: KJ Lacey, Saraland
- 2023: Ryan Williams, Saraland
- 2022: Ryan Williams, Saraland
- 2021: Ryan Peppins, Thompson
- 2020: Ga’Quincy McKinstry, Pinson Valley
- 2019: Kristian Story, Lanett
- 2018: Bo Nix, Pinson Valley
- 2017: Asa Martin, Austin
- 2016: La’Damian Webb, Beauregard
- 2015: Tyler Johnston, Spanish Fort
- 2014: Kerryon Johnson, Madison Academy
- 2013: Roc Thomas, Oxford
- 2012: Jeremy Johnson, Carver Montgomery
- 2011: TJ Yeldon, Daphne
- 2010: Jamal Golden, Wetumpka
- 2009: Coty Blanchard, Cherokee County
- 2008: Clint Moseley, Leroy
- 2007: Julio Jones, Foley
- 2006: Larry Smith, Prattville
- 2005: Andre Smith, Huffman
- 2004: Jarod Bryant, Hoover
- 2003: Chris Nickson, Pike County
- 2002: JaMarcus Russell, Williamson
- 2001: Brandon Cox, Hewitt-Trussville
- 2000: Cadillac Williams, Etowah
- 1999: Cory Whisenant, Springville
- 1998: DeMarco McNeil, Blount
- 1997: Mac Campbell, Alexandria
- 1996: Antoneyo Williams, Central-Tuscaloosa
- 1995: Gorman Thornton, Montgomery
- 1994: Daqud Rasheed, Shades Valley
- 1993: Thomas Banks, West Jefferson
- 1992: Freddie Kitchens, Etowah
- 1991: Robert Davis, Homewood
- 1990: David Palmer, Jackson-Olin
- 1989: Steven Coleman, Pike County
- 1988: Darrell Williams, Vigor
- 1987: Robert Jones, Parker
- 1986: Larry Ware, Montgomery
- 1985: Pierre Goode, Hazlewood
- 1984: Roderick Green, Gardendale
- 1983: Freddy Weygand, Emma Sansom
- 1982: Tommy Compton, Vigor
2025 ASWA awards
- BACKS OF THE YEAR
- 7A: Trent Seaborn, Thompson
- 6A: Aaron Frye, Clay-Chalkville
- 5A: Sammy Dunn, Vigor
- 4A: EJ Crowell, Jackson
- 3A: Jaxon Penn, Mars Hill
- 2A: Kylen Johnson, Coosa Christian
- 1A: Jaquez Wilkes, Wadley
- AISA: Ahmod Billins, Abbeville Christian
- LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
- 7A: Tristan Lyles, Central-Phenix City
- 6A: Anthony Jones, St. Paul’s
- 5A: Jabarrius Garror, Vigor
- 4A: Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson
- 3A: Shadarius Toodle, Cottage Hill
- 2A: Zayden Franklin, Coosa Christian
- 1A: Eli Hubbert, Maplesville
- AISA: Eli Whorton, Chambers Academy
Subscribe to The Bama Buzz Newsletter to get the latest updates delivered right to your inbox.
