Former Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe has made the decision to transfer to Georgia Tech, as announced through the NCAA Transfer Portal. Mbakwe spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide, initially demonstrating his versatility by playing as a defensive back in his first year.
In his inaugural season at Alabama in 2024, Mbakwe participated in 12 games and recorded 15 tackles, including one for a loss, along with two pass breakups and an interception. He also showed his special teams potential by returning both punts and kickoffs. However, prior to Alabama’s ReliaQuest Bowl match-up against Michigan, he transitioned to the wide receiver position. Although he did not register any catches in that game, he continued to play as a receiver in the 2025 season.
During the latest season, Mbakwe appeared in 10 games and caught three passes for a total of 55 yards, showcasing his growth at his new position. With two years of eligibility remaining, he now seeks to make an impact at Georgia Tech.
Mbakwe, a five-star prospect from Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama, was highly regarded in the recruiting cycle, ranked as the No. 16 overall player and the No. 2 cornerback by the Rivals Industry Rankings in 2024. His commitment to Georgia Tech marks him as the first player to join the Yellow Jackets via the Transfer Portal this offseason, where he is recognized as the No. 33 wide receiver in On3’s 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings.
Georgia Tech recently concluded a promising season with a 9-4 overall record and a strong 6-2 conference performance. Despite losing to BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl with a close score of 25-21, head coach Brent Key expressed optimism about the program’s future. He emphasized the need for continued development in building a competitive roster and staff, indicating that the upcoming season will arrive quickly and the team must maintain its established identity.
As college football prepares for another transfer period, fans and followers can stay updated on player movements through resources like On3’s Transfer Portal wire and its social media channels on Instagram and Twitter.