Kalen DeBoer feels former 5-Star’s time will come at wide receiver

3/5/25 MFB Spring Practice 2 Alabama Wide Receiver Jaylen Mbakwe (3) Photo by Kent Gidley

Jaylen Mbakwe made the switch from defensive back to wide receiver towards the end of the 2024 football season, and he has continued to improve as a wideout despite not playing much this season, according to Kalen DeBoer.

Mbakwe has seen a bulk of his playing time on special teams this season. He has lined up at wide receiver in three games, and some of those snaps were meaningful ones as he appeared on offense against Florida State and Vanderbilt. The former five-star missed a couple of games with a hand injury but returned to contribute on special teams against South Carolina.

DeBoer was asked about Mbakwe’s growth on “Hey Coach & The Kalen DeBoer Show” on Wednesday.

“I love having Jaylen Mbakwe on the field in practice every single day,” DeBoer said. “He brings nothing but positive vibes. I think just people have expectations. You said it’s a competitive group, but the guy is working every single day. He’s doing exactly what he needs to be doing to continue to get better in every way as a football player. And he is a tremendous athlete. He’s a tremendous human being… He’s putting in the work, and it’s showing. I know everyone else wants to see that on Saturdays. And, you know, hopefully at some point here, sooner than later, that time’s coming, too.”

The Alabama native has pulled in one reception for 16 yards this season.