Five-star Alabama freshman Jaylen Mbakwe gifts high school team with EA Sports College Football 25
Now that he’s in the game, Alabama CB Jaylen Mbakwe is bringing it back to where he came from.
Mbakwe, a native of Pinson, Alabama, returned to Clay-Chalkville High School on Friday to visit his old prep program. In doing so, he gifted each member of his former team a copy of EA Sports College Football 25.
Mbakwe played high school football for the Cougars. He was a Five-Star+ prospect there as the No. 16 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He rated as the No. 2 corner in the class behind only Ellis Robinson IV (Georgia). He also finished as the No. 3 player in the state after just WRs Cam Coleman (Auburn) and Ryan Williams (Alabama).
Mbakwe chose the Tide, a home-state program, over others like Oklahoma, Auburn, and Ole Miss. He has been committed there since July 26th, 2022 and in total took 20 visits to Tuscaloosa, which is just an hour southwest of Pinson outside of Birmingham. However, after originally committing to Nick Saban, he will now play for Kalen DeBoer.
Following Saban’s retirement in January, Mbakew remained loyal to the Crimson Tide.
“Locked in…” wrote Mbakwe in a tweet with several elephant emojis.
With his signing as part of it, ‘Bama brought in the No. 2 recruiting class in the country per On3’s 2024 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings. He was their second highest-rated addition behind, again, Williams as the No. 5 recruit in the nation.
In BamaOnline’s Class Superlatives back in February, they deemed Mbakwe as the leader of the group.
“The five-star athlete committed to the Crimson Tide prior to his junior season. He was considered a solid commit despite a few spring visits. Mbakwe attended every major recruiting event in T-Town, including most home games junior his junior and senior season,” tjey wrote. “He was also a significant help on the recruiting front especially after Coach Saban retired. Ryan Williams dubbed Mbkawe the ‘Recruiter of the Year’. There is no doubt about it.”
Mbakwe has already made an impression going into his freshman season in Tuscaloosa. Still, before he takes the field this fall, he returned to his old team one more time with the hottest gift on the market right now with the new game.
Jaylen Mbakwe On3 Scouting Summary
The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Jaylen Mbakwe:
“One of the more dynamic two-way athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Stars on both sides of the ball for one of the top high school programs in Alabama. Has outstanding play speed, backed up by a personal best of 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters mid-way through his sophomore track season. Pulls away in the open field, easily out-running defenders. Dynamic with the ball in his hands both as a receiver and return man. Also shows the ability to separate on vertical routes. Returned several kicks for touchdowns.
“Also doubles as a productive defensive back, with high level ball production, totaling 4 interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a sophomore. Should he end up at defensive back, will need to continue honing his technical skills. Projects as one of the more electric athletes in the 2024 cycle.”