Alabama commit Ezavier Crowell suspended for opener against Saraland

When high school football games kickoff Friday night in the state of Alabama, Ezavier Crowell, one of the state’s top senior running backs, will be unavailable for his team’s huge Week 1 opener.

According to a report by WKRG’s Simone Eli, the four-star Alabama commitment has been suspended for Jackson‘s game against state powerhouse Saraland. Jackson enters 2025 as the No. 13-ranked team in Alabama, according to the Massey Rankings, with Saraland sitting at No. 6.

BREAKING: Alabama RB commit, Jackson 5-star EJ Crowell suspended for Friday's opener vs. Saraland due to amateurism violation

Sources say the Tide's 5-star commit accepted a gift that has since been returned. Crowell’s suspension stems from a self-reported violation by Jackson… pic.twitter.com/fmL3AbL6g7

— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) August 21, 2025

Per Eli’s report, Crowell was suspended by the team for a self-reported violation of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) amateurism bylaws.

The AHSAA’s amateur rule per its bylaws reads as followed:

SECTION 8. Only amateurs are eligible. An amateur is one who does not use his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill for gain. Amateur standing shall be further determined by the following standards: (a) A student is ineligible if he/she has received money as a prize, or has sold a prize received in a contest, or has bet on a contest in which he/ she is a participant. (b) Professionalism is defined as accepting remuneration, directly or indirectly, for playing on athletic teams and in sports activities or for playing under an assumed name. (c) A student who accepts material or financial inducement from any source is ineligible.

Losing Crowell is a major blow to Jackson’s offense as the running back is ranked No. 40 in the country by the Rivals Industry Rankings. Last season, Crowell carried the ball 168 times for 1,964 yards and scored 31 touchdowns on the ground en route to helping lead Jackson to Alabama’s Class 4A state championship last fall.

The Aggies offensively will need to lean heavily upon a pair of four-star seniors in quarterback Landon Duckworth (South Carolina commit) and wide receiver Keeyun Chapman (North Carolina commit) against the Spartans come Friday night.

How to Follow Alabama High School Football

For Alabama high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement in the Yellowhammer State.