5-star Alabama signee talks Ryan Williams: "I will not let him leave."

joseph-hastingsby:Joseph Hastings•12/29/23•

JosephAHastings

ORLANDO — Several future members of Alabama’s football program will represent the Crimson Tide at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando (Fla.) next week. Signees Cayden Jones, Jaylen Mbakwe, and Kevin Riley, as well as Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver commit Ryan Williams, will be on ESPN next Wednesday for the UA Game.

BOL Roundtable: Live Updates from 2024 Under Armour Media Day

The first of Bama’s signees to arrive at Media Day on Friday was Jaylen Mbakwe. Alabama’s longest-tenured commitment in the 2024 class signed his National Letter of Intent on Dec. 20, and will start the next chapter of his academic and athletic career next month.

Mbakwe told BamaOnLine and others that with him being signed, he’s focusing his attention on Williams, who will sign on Feb. 9.

“Everybody thinks he’s going to Auburn,” Mbakwe said of Williams. “Trust me, I will not let him leave. I will not.”

In the video above, Mbakwe reiterated his confidence in Williams sticking it out with Alabama.

“Bama fans, Ryan Williams will be at the University of Alabama,” Mbakwe said. “No, he will not be coming to Auburn.”

Mbakwe, the No. 2 cornerback in this recruiting cycle, detailed his message to Williams, who committed to the Tide in October 2022.

“Come win a championship for three years,” Mbakwe said. “Roll Tide. Why not Bama?”

Jaylen Mbakwe predicts Michigan game, gives thoughts on Alabama’s season

Besides talking with BamaOnLine about Williams, Jaylen Mbakwe looked ahead to what’s next for him at Alabama.

After a 14-game season that culminated in another state title with Clay-Chalkville, Mbakwe opted to not go to bowl practice in Tuscaloosa and focus on recovering from the long season. He did say, however, that he’ll participate in national championship practices with Alabama in Houston (Tx.) if the Tide win on Monday.

On the topic of the upcoming Rose Bowl matchup with the Wolverines, Mbakwe shared his prediction for next week’s game.

“27-24,” Mbakwe said. “Alabama is going to win. It’s going to be a great game. Michigan is a great team, so they’re nobody to sleep on.”

Mbakwe either attended or tuned in for all of Alabama’s games this season. The heart of this team and their resiliency has stood out to him the most.

“Just the way they fight at the end of games,” Mbakwe said. “Down 20-7 to Tennessee, and we come back and played a great second half. Us being down to LSU, and we come back and played a great second half. We’re a great second half team; we’ve just got to play like that for four quarters, and I feel like we can beat anybody.”

The top-20 overall recruit also likes what he’s seen from Bama’s secondary in 2023.

“They’re great. They like to be around each other. I think that’s what helps the most,” Mbakwe said of Bama’s secondary. “I saw them after the Texas game not get too down on themselves.”

Alabama currently boasts the No. 2 class in the country. The program signed five other top-100 prospects besides Mbakwe, and are also in the mix for another five-star recruit (Read HERE for more.)

With top talent around him, Mbakwe plans on bringing back another title to Alabama.

“The Class of 2024 will bring back a national championship,” Mbakwe said. “Roll Tide.”

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