Tech adds another portal commitment from WR/CB Mbakwe
Georgia Tech continued its strong start to the 2026 transfer portal cycle by securing the commitment of former Alabama player Jaylen Mbakwe on Monday according to sources.
Mbakwe, a former 5-star recruit according to On3/Rivals, visited Georgia Tech over the weekend and was expected to take other visits to some SEC schools but decided to make the commitment to the Jackets and head coach Brent Key instead. Mbakwe said his comfortability with Key, them both being from the Birmingham area and his confidence in Key’s system went a long way in his pledge to the Jackets’ program.
“(I committed because) pretty much coach Key…from the same area. Feels like I’ve known him for a long time,” Mbakwe told JOL on Monday afternoon following his commitment. “And he has that same system that I would have been in with Coach (Nick) Saban, something that I learned before Saban retired and I’m familiar with. Great guy to play under, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Mbakwe has the potential to be a two-way player with experience at cornerback and wide receiver during his two years at Alabama. He committed to the Crimson Tide as 5-star WR prospect in the 2024 class out of Clay-Chalkville High (Ala.) over more than 30 other offers from college programs all over the country, several of them being Power-4 schools from the SEC, ACC and Big 10.
When asked whether he would be focusing on being a cornerback or wide receiver once he arrives at Georgia Tech, Mbakwe wouldn’t zero in on one specific position but rather told JOL, “I can reach my full potential anywhere in college football.”
Mbakwe began his career at Alabama as a defensive back and played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2024, recording 15 total tackles (12 solo), one tackle-for-loss, one interception and three passes defensed. There was speculation that he would enter the transfer portal following this past spring but chose to remain in Tuscaloosa.
Mbakwe made the switch to wide receiver for the 2025 season with the Crimson Tide and played in 10 games, recording three catches for 55 yards with a long of 26. He has also had one kick return for 15 yards and three punt returns for 41 yards during his two seasons with Alabama and recorded one solo tackle in 2025.
Mbakwe reiterated that Key was a key reason for his commitment to Georgia Tech, and he feels like he’s the kind of player that can help Key and the Jackets reach that next level as a program.
“Coach Key (played a big role)…I have a big opportunity to add to the success he’s bringing to Georgia Tech and I want to be a part of something like that,” said Mbakwe. “He’s a great coach. He knows what it takes to win, and I’m a type of player to get that to happen.”
Mbakwe is Tech’s second portal commitment of this cycle following former Rutgers DE/Edge Jordan Walker committing to the Jackets on Sunday night. For the Jackets’ fans that might not know much about him yet, Mbakwe had a message for them about what kind of player they are getting.
“A winner, a competitor,” said Mbakwe. “I was able to show that in different ways at my previous school. I’m a winner and a fighter, and I’m going to do whatever it is to get this team in a position to win.”
Mbakwe also had a connection with Georgia Tech through Jackets’ cornerbacks coach Kobie Jones, who was assistant cornerbacks coach at Alabama during Mbakwe’s freshman year in 2024 before he took the job on The Flats prior to the 2025 season.
