Football Places Three Players on Shaun Alexander Award Watch List
8/26/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
The trio are among 37 candidates for college football’s freshman player of the year award
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football placed three players on the 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday.
EJ Crowell, Jireh Edwards and Keelon Russell helped make up a list of 37 players from around the country selected to the preseason list. Alabama has produced two Alexander winners in program history, including Will Anderson, Jr. in 2020 followed by Caleb Downs in 2023.
EJ Crowell
Running Back
- Ultra-talented rusher who reclassified after his junior season of high school ball
- A unanimous five-star recruit and the top-rated player in the state of Alabama by all major sites
- Listed as the second-rated running back by the Consensus and Composite while ranking as the No. 11 and No. 14 recruit nationally by each outlet, respectively
- Accumulated 2,632 yards and 35 touchdowns on just 209 carries in 14 games of action in his final year of prep ball
Jireh Edwards
Defensive Back
- Versatile defensive back who can play multiple positions in the secondary
- A five-star recruit by ESPN.com along with on the 247Composite and Rivals Consensus lists
- The top-rated safety by ESPN and the No. 9 player on the ESPN300 list
- Named a MaxPreps junior All-American in 2024 after posting 92 tackles, including 17 for loss, to go with six pass breakups and three forced fumbles for Saint Frances Academy
Keelon Russell
Quarterback
- Named the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback for 2026 season
- Played in two games as a backup in 2025 and completed 11-of-15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns while adding three rushes for 17 total yards
- A unanimous five-star recruit by all major outlets out of high school
- Selected as the Texas and national Gatorade Player of the Year for football and was also named the winner of the Maxwell High School Player of the Year
Established in 2018, the Shaun Alexander Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. The award is named in tribute to Shaun Alexander, a former Crimson Tide standout and 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. A total of 14 semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 14 before being narrowed down to three finalists on Dec. 2. The 2026 winner of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 28.
