Jaylen Mbakwe’s journey through college football has taken another dramatic turn. The former Alabama standout, once hailed as one of the nation’s most electrifying recruits, officially committed to Georgia Tech on January 5, 2026, according to multiple reports, including CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. For Georgia Tech, this marks a significant acquisition as the Yellow Jackets look to reload after a strong 2025 season. For Mbakwe, it’s a shot at redemption—and perhaps a starring role—after a roller-coaster stint with the Crimson Tide.
Mbakwe’s story is one of versatility, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity. Hailing from Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama, he was a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 12 overall recruit in the 2024 class, per the 247Sports Composite. Not only was he the No. 2 cornerback in his class, but he was also the No. 3 player in the state and a blue-chip recruit coveted by programs across the country. Ultimately, he chose Alabama over 28 other scholarship offers, including Auburn, setting high expectations for his college career.
His freshman season in Tuscaloosa saw him make an immediate impact—but not at the position many had expected. Mbakwe lined up primarily at defensive back, where he appeared in 12 games, recording 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, and an interception. He also showcased his athleticism on special teams, returning two punts and a kickoff. According to the Rivals Industry Rankings, he was the No. 16 overall player and No. 2 cornerback in his class, further underscoring his elite status.
Yet, as the 2024 season progressed, the crowded Alabama secondary and wide receiver rooms made it difficult for Mbakwe to carve out a consistent role. Ahead of Alabama’s high-profile ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Michigan, Mbakwe made a pivotal decision—he switched from defensive back to wide receiver, embracing a new challenge and hoping to spark his offensive career. Though he didn’t record a catch in the bowl game, the position change stuck for the 2025 campaign.
As a sophomore, Mbakwe played 10 games at wide receiver, tallying three receptions for 55 yards. He also chipped in on special teams, notching a single carry for four yards and recording a special teams tackle. Despite his efforts, Mbakwe found himself buried on the depth chart, unable to secure a primary role in Alabama’s high-octane offense. The Tide’s receiver room was stacked, and limited opportunities forced him to consider his options.
The transfer portal beckoned. On December 16, 2024, Mbakwe announced his intention to enter the portal, only to reverse his decision the very next day. That brief indecision foreshadowed the eventual move: after the 2025 season, and with the portal window opening on January 2, 2026, Mbakwe entered his name and, within days, found a new home in Atlanta. He became the first Alabama wide receiver to secure a transfer destination this offseason, amid a flurry of departures from the Crimson Tide’s roster.
Georgia Tech, fresh off a 9-4 campaign and a 6-2 mark in ACC play, wasted no time in pouncing on the opportunity. The Yellow Jackets, led by head coach Brent Key—a former Alabama assistant under Nick Saban—had just wrapped up their season with a narrow 25-21 loss to BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Key’s optimism for the program’s future was palpable. “We have work to do,” Key said after the bowl defeat. “We have to make sure we have the best roster we can possibly have, put together the best staff that we can possibly have. It will be here fast. As quick as this season went, the next one will be here. We have to continue with the identity that these guys have built. We are rolling into the next one, because we have a lot of work to do. … We are all judged by the wins and losses, but when you put it together the right way, those all become a by-product of having everything in the right place and the kids all believe in the same thing and the staff believes in the same thing.”
Mbakwe arrives at Georgia Tech with two years of eligibility remaining and, perhaps, a chip on his shoulder. At the time of his commitment, he was ranked as the No. 33 wide receiver in On3’s 2026 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. His versatility could be a major asset for the Yellow Jackets, who are still deciding whether to deploy him as a wide receiver, cornerback, or even both. After all, Mbakwe excelled at multiple positions in high school and was a game-changer in the 2023 AHSAA Class 6A state championship game, where he led Clay-Chalkville to a 31-28 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
For Alabama, Mbakwe’s departure is part of a broader exodus. Four wide receivers—Mbakwe, Jalen Hale, Aeryn "Bubba" Hampton, and Cole Adams—entered the transfer portal in a matter of days, leaving the Crimson Tide’s receiver room in flux. As of January 5, 2026, Alabama’s remaining wide receivers include Ryan Williams, Isaiah Horton (pending his NFL Draft decision), Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, Derek Meadow, and true freshman Cederian Morgan. The Tide’s roster will undoubtedly look different when the new season kicks off.
Mbakwe’s decision to join Georgia Tech also reunites him, in a sense, with Brent Key, who served as Alabama’s offensive line coach from 2016 to 2018. That familiarity could help ease the transition for the former five-star, as he seeks to finally realize his immense potential at the college level. Georgia Tech’s wide receiver room offers a less crowded path to playing time, and if Mbakwe can harness the flashes of brilliance he showed as a high school star and as a versatile contributor at Alabama, the Yellow Jackets could have landed a game-changer.
It remains to be seen exactly how Georgia Tech will utilize Mbakwe’s talents. Will he stick at wide receiver, where his speed and agility could stretch defenses? Could he return to cornerback, shoring up the secondary? Or might he reprise his high school role as a true two-way threat? One thing’s for sure: the Yellow Jackets are getting a player with pedigree, experience, and plenty of motivation.
As the 2026 college football season approaches, all eyes will be on Jaylen Mbakwe and his fresh start at Georgia Tech. With the transfer portal window open until January 16, there’s still time for more twists and turns across the college football landscape. But for now, Mbakwe’s commitment stands as one of the most intriguing moves of the offseason—a new chapter for a player who’s still chasing greatness.
