Five-star cornerback, Jaylen Mbakwe, looks to add to Alabama's Class of 2024

Photo Credit: on3.com

Jaylen Mbakwe was one of the first players in the Class of 2024 to commit to Alabama. In fact, Mbakwe was the third player to commit to the Crimson Tide in the 2024 class after four-star wide receiver, Perry Thompson, and four-star athlete, Martavious Collins. But Mbakwe is wasting no time in trying to get Alabama off to a great start in the junior class.

Mbakwe is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound, five-star cornerback from Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama. According to the 247sports rankings, he’s ranked as the No. 1 recruit in Alabama, the No. 2 cornerback in the country, and the No. 9 recruit in the Class of 2022. On Wednesday night, Mbakwe joined me on Instagram Live for an interview to discuss his commitment to Alabama and more.

Jaylen Mbakwe Interview

https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClDBBwphMaX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Many players commit to a school based on their relationship with the coaching staff. For Mbakwe, while the coaches played a role in his decision, the current players at Alabama were the biggest factor for Mbakwe to commit to the Crimson Tide.

“Just talking to the players that are already there, that helped a lot,” Mbakwe said. “It was some of the coaches, but it was mostly the players. They liked how it was ran up there; you’re playing for the best coaching in college football.”

Of Alabama’s current players, Mbakwe is closest with the players at his position, along with some of the wide receivers. He finds it helpful learning from them, and he’s able to get their perspective on their thoughts on the program from a current player’s point of view.

“I’m cool with like half the DBs [defensive backs], so they help me with a lot of learning plays, the playbook, and stuff like that,” Mbakwe said. “It’s pretty cool being around them.”

Mbakwe’s relationship with the coaching staff also drew him to Alabama. Their ability to be down to earth and relatable with the recruits, but also their seriousness when it’s time to take care of business on the field was the best of both worlds for the five-star cornerback.

“It’s like big brother, little brother,” Mbakwe said. “They’re goofy, they play around a lot, but when it comes to coaching, they’re serious, so I like the coaching staff.”

Along with Alabama, Mbakwe was interested in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M throughout his recruitment.

While Mbakwe is now off the uncommitted prospect board, he’s trying to bring other bluechip recruits from all around the country with him to Alabama.

“Kavion Henderson, KJ Bolden, Kobe Black, Ellis Robinson [IV], obviously I just got the quarterback [Julian Sayin] to commit, that’s pretty much about it,” Mbakwe said.”

On November 2nd, Alabama added five-star quarterback, Julian Sayin, to their 2024 class. But Mbakwe does not plan on stopping there, and he plans on persuading many other recruits to join him in Tuscaloosa for the same reasons he thought Alabama was home for him.