Jaylen Mbakwe said he hadn’t played corner on a full-time basis since his sophomore year of high school. Still, the Alabama football freshman has been picking up reps at that spot since arriving in Tuscaloosa.
He showed up as a five-star cornerback prospect out of Clay-Chalkville, showing someone thought he’d be successful at the spot in college. After starting in spring, he’s proven them right.
“Getting here in the spring, really getting my feet wet at the corner position, it really made me fit in,” Mbakwe said. “So now I’m just like, balls to the wall now.”
Mbakwe mostly played quarterback in high school. Since arriving at Alabama, he latched on to the Crimson Tide’s veteran defensive backs, most notably Malachi Moore and Keon Sabb, to learn the position he was recruited to play.
Moore in particular has been a huge help. On Friday, Mbakwe was asked what the biggest lesson he’d learned so far from the Crimson Tide captain was.
“I’d say film-watching,” Mbakwe said. “Just writing a lot of notes down. From the first day I got here, I knew I needed to stay by Malachi Moore. Learn from him and just ask him questions, so that was my biggest main focus coming in.”
Mbakwe has been part of the Crimson Tide’s four-man rotation at cornerback for the first three games of the season. So far, he’s totaled four tackles and a pass breakup.
With Cole Adams injured, he’s also stepped into returning punts. Mbakwe had a huge 28-yard return against South Florida in the fourth quarter that helped Alabama turn the game around late in a poor performance.
“I feel comfortable wherever,” he said. “Wherever the coaches tell me to play at, that’s where I’m gonna play at and do my job to the best of my ability. Not getting a lot of reps on defense but also playing, just watching the guys in front of me.”
Since his arrival on campus, Mbakwe has earned rave reviews from Alabama’s coaching staff. Kalen DeBoer has praised him to reporters, as has defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist.
Mbakwe returned the love for Linguist.
“He’s like my big brother, literally,” Mbakwe said. “He’s a great guy. He’s down to earth. Likes to joke around a lot, I like that, but he also, when it’s time to get serious, it’s serious. I’ve learned a lot of things from him, especially him coming from the league, and coaching in all these other places, so it’s been great.”
The young cornerback and his Alabama teammates are about to enter the teeth of their 2024 schedule. SEC play begins next Saturday, when Georgia visits Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The first three games have been good experience for Mbakwe. The true test comes next.
“They’re obviously the number one team for a reason,” Mbakwe said. “So it’s just, watch film on them, pick up some of their tendencies and then just go out there, play ball and have fun.”
