Jaylen Mbakwe shockingly announced his intention to enter the Transfer Portal at the conclusion of the 2024 regular season after a productive freshman season at cornerback for Alabama. Mbakwe craved a move to the offensive side of the ball after arriving in Tuscaloosa as a 5-star athlete and thought the Transfer Portal was his best bet.
Kalen DeBoer and the coaching staff talked him out of it, and Mbakwe ultimately decided to stay and changed his position to WR.
The transition hasn't been easy, and Mbakwe has barely played during his second year in Tuscaloosa. He's registered just 28 offensive snaps and has been written off by Alabama fans and media as a likely Transfer Portal casualty this offseason.
Don't tell Mbakwe that, though.
In an interview over the weekend with Austin Duncan, Mbakwe threw cold water on any talk of him leaving Alabama this offseason.
Duncan asked Mbakwe if it was true that he would be entering the portal again this offseason, as has often been rumored.
"Definitely not," Mbakwe replied.
Today I got the chance to interview Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe, he told me why he stayed with Alabama as he entered the NCAA transfer portal last year. pic.twitter.com/czfuQK72s7
— Austin Duncan (@ADMEDIA__) December 20, 2025
Jaylen Mbakwe denies rumors tying him to the Transfer Portal
The Transfer Portal talk around Mbakwe has never made sense. When he made the choice to switch to WR after playing CB during his freshman season, he was throwing away a year of developing and practically starting over. He knew that. And he also knew that playing time would likely be few and far between as a result.
This was always going to be a transition year for the talented Pinson native.
Mbakwe was one of the top recruits in Alabama's 2024 signing class, and a name that Kalen DeBoer and company made sure to hang onto in the coaching transition when Nick Saban retired. Mbakwe was ranked as the No. 12 overall player in the 2024 class.
Mbakwe has caught three passes for 55 yards on the season. His patience could be rewarded next season in Tuscaloosa.
With Germie Bernard exhausting his eligibility and Isaiah Horton potentially testing the NFL Draft waters, there will be an opportunity for Mbakwe to make a move up the depth chart in 2026.
The Transfer Portal window opens on January 2nd and runs until January 16th. There's plenty of time for Mbakwe to still change his mind, but his recent comments are a positive development for the Crimson Tide's roster next season. He's a versatile piece for the offense, and one DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb will be happy to find a spot for next season.