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Alabama OC assesses new addition to WR room, Jaylen Mbakwe

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter•about 24 hours•

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Alabama DB Jaylen Mbakwe
Alabama DB Jaylen Mbakwe (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY Sports)

TAMPA, Fla. – Alabama’s Friday practice at Berekely Preparatory School was the first time local reporters have been able to watch drills since the Crimson Tide’s work in the preseason.

The first on-site practice for the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with Michigan had plenty to look for, including a freshman defensive back running routes with the wide receivers. During the viewing periods, Jaylen Mbakwe practiced with the wideouts for the first time this season.

While it was noteworthy, Mbakwe fit in with the receivers, according to one Alabama assistant.

“I don’t think the game is too fast for Bak at all,” said Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. “I don’t see any wide-eyed piece of that. I wouldn’t say that. Seems to have good presence there.”

Mbakwe sported a white offensive jersey and a new number, switching from No. 9 to No. 6 so he can play offensive at the same time as running back Richard Young. The No. 6 is vacant due to Kobe Prentice entering the transfer portal. Down to four healthy scholarship wide receivers, Alabama used Mbakwe in the slot behind fellow true freshman Rico Scott.

Mbakwe flirted with transferring himself a week ago after one offered him seven figures. But the in-state freshman elected to stay at Alabama. The shorthanded Tide will need all the help it can get ahead of its season finale against the Wolverines on Tuesday, December 31.

Mbakwe was a 5-star recruit out of Clay-Chalkville High School. For his senior year, he moved to quarterback and led the Cougars to a 6A state championship. Mbakwe ran the ball 148 times for 1,065 yards and 23 touchdowns and threw for 2,007 yards and 20 scores. He was named the MVP of the state championship game after accounting for 282 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in a win over Saraland and now teammate Ryan Williams.

Mbakwe has appeared in 11 of Alabama’s 12 regular-season games as a rookie in Tuscaloosa. Part of the Crimson Tide’s cornerback rotation early on, Mbakwe tallied 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups. He also contributed on Alabama’s special teams units, as most true freshmen start out, but even returned punts – a pair for 46 yards in 2024.

“A good athlete,” Sheridan said of Mbakwe. “Has experience with the ball in his hand. Catching the ball, securing the football is not something new to him. Has good quickness. Very good athlete. It’s a lot for him to learn in a short amount of time, but he’s had a great attitude. Practices really hard. We’re glad he’s out there with us.”

Sheridan and company are working to catch Mbakwe up to speed at receiver and his role within the offense with four days to go until the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup (11 a.m. CT on ESPN).

“He’s really embraced it,” Sheridan said. “Very attentive. Quick learner. Coach (JaMarcus Shephard) is doing a great job of bringing him up to speed on some of those things. He’s been good.”

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