The cornerback position for Alabama football will be an exciting competition for the coming fall.
Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide’s former head coach, signed several talented freshmen in the 2024 recruiting cycle before he announced his retirement from coaching the program.
Jaylen Mbakwe, one of the talented freshmen, is arguably the most explosive defensive back in the class. He enrolled early for spring practice at 5’11” and 170 pounds, but the gifted athlete has added muscle to his frame. Mbakwe is an in-state product from Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, Ala.) where he led the school to a Class 6A State Championship.
He excelled as a quarterback, defensive back, wide receiver, and return specialist.
Alabama moves on from Terrion Arnold and Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry as both head to the NFL Draft.
The Tide also had several cornerbacks pursue the NCAA transfer portal, opening an opportunity for Mbakwe. He has been working with Coach Leonard Stephens of Step By Step Performance Training in Birmingham (Ala.) to prepare himself to push for a starting chance.
Stephens is building Mbakwe’s shoulder’s, chest, legs, arms, and back to become a marquee defender.
Alabama freshman DB and former 5-Star Jaylen Mbakwe packing on some muscle ahead of his freshman season.
(📹 via @CoachL__ )
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 15, 2024
Mbakwe, who wears No. 9 for Alabama, looked good in the first week of practice. We will see how he continues to progress.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
