Barlow: Taking Crowell not risky for Alabama State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The most talked-about player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference wasn't selected to the preseason all-conference team. He didn't attend Monday's Media Day event either.

Then again, Alabama State's star running back hasn't even played in a SWAC game yet. Isaiah Crowell, the former Georgia running back who was dismissed from the Bulldogs following his June arrest, has since enrolled at Alabama State and could give the Hornets one of the league's most explosive offensive weapons.

But it's a high-risk, high-reward situation.

Crowell had numerous off-field issues, including a pair of in-season suspensions due to breaking team rules. Still, Crowell managed to be Georgia's leading rusher, finishing with 850 yards and five touchdowns before being named the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Year by The Associated Press.

READ MORE