Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne asked Crimson Tide fans to “fight back” after defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe threatened to leave the program for approximately 24 hours. The former five-star recruit was lured into the transfer portal by a lucrative NIL offer from another SEC team.
In addition to money, the suitor presented him with the opportunity to play snaps on offense.
Mbakwe initially committed to play college football at Alabama approximately 18 months before Nick Saban decided to retire. He ultimately stuck with the commitment after Kalen DeBoer was hired despite a late push from Auburn. However, his freshman season did not go as well as he had hoped.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound corner recorded 15 tackles and one interception in limited action during only seven games. Alabama prioritized Malachi Moore, Bray Hubbard, Domani Jackson and Keon Sabb over Mbakwe.
Jaylen Mbakwe almost transferred!
There is still a lot of potential for the top-12 recruit to blossom into an All-American superstar so Ole Miss allegedly tried to capitalize on his down year. The Rebels (through the Grove Collective) may or may not have offered him an NIL package worth at least seven figures over the next two or three seasons.
Ole Miss sending a bag man to Tuscaloosa to go get Jaylen Mbakwe out of the portal pic.twitter.com/KmAy2d6SPg
— Grayson Weir (@GsonJW) December 17, 2024
In addition to the money, Lane Kiffin and his staff supposedly teased the idea of an offensive package for Jaylen Mbakwe, who played both wide receiver and cornerback during his first three years of high school football. The Alabama-native also started at quarterback for Clay-Chalkville as a senior.
Needless to say, he’s a freak athlete. Ole Miss would’ve been willing to let him play both ways.
With an offer on the table, Jaylen Mbawke entered the transfer portal on Dec. 16. He then withdrew his name from the transfer portal approximately 24 hours later. Alabama matched the offer!
Byrne immediately urged his fanbase to “fight back” with a desperate plea for more NIL donations.
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