Jaylen Mbakwe was asked about potentially entering the Transfer Portal the weekend following Alabama's comeback win over Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The former 5-star recruit stated he was "definitely not" headed to the portal.
But things change quickly in this era of college football.
On the first day the Transfer Portal opened, Mbakwe announced his intentions to enter the portal for the second consecutive year.
BREAKING: Alabama WR Jaylen Mbakwe is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2026
The 6’0 188 WR will have 2 years of eligibility left
Was ranked as a Five-Star Plus+ Recruit in the 2024 Class (per On3)https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/PpVeG56clL
Jaylen Mbakwe is headed to the Transfer Portal
Mbakwe initially announced his intentions to enter the Transfer Portal following the end of the regular season in 2024. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide coaching staff talked him out of it, and Mbakwe returned for his sophomore season with a position change.
The former 5-star began his Alabama career as a cornerback and earned immediate playing time. He flashed immense potential at the position, but preferred a move to the offensive side of the ball. The coaching staff allowed him to do so, but he couldn't break the WR rotation as a sophomore.
Mbakwe caught three passes for 55 yards this season, earning receptions only in garbage time in wins over UL Monroe and Eastern Illinois. Transitioning to a position he had never played before was always going to take some time, but his patience has run out in Tuscaloosa, and the former blue-chip prospect will look for greener pastures.
This could also easily be a player Alabama wasn't willing to pony up to keep. The Crimson Tide had to pay to keep him on board a year ago; the price tag the former 5-star recruit commanded did not produce the return on investment that DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan need.
It will be interesting to see what's next for Mbakwe. Will he continue to play WR or make the move back to DB? He is a high-level athlete who will undoubtedly command serious interest in the Transfer Portal during this cycle.
Just don't expect Alabama to try to change his mind this time around.