Over the offseason, the one name that continued to make waves was cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe.

Mbakwe was one of the final recruits from legendary coach Nick Saban and when he retired, he was one of the first ones to show his commitment to the University of Alabama.

In fact, Mbakwe was among those who helped bring back Ryan Williams to Tuscaloosa, after he decommitted due to the retirement news.

Mbakwe was a five-star recruit out of Pinson, AL, and one of the more premier athletes in all of high school football. He did everything from play quarterback, running back, act as a wide receiver, play on defense – you really couldn’t tell him he couldn’t do a certain position, because then he did it with flying colors.

But Saban wanted him to be a defensive back, even though he was recruited as a wide  receiver.

During his freshman season, Mbakwe looked the part, but perhaps a little raw at times. It was clear that he needed to prove to coach Kalen DeBoer that he was worth playing every snap.

The problem is, DeBoer wasn’t sold just yet.

For a true freshman, the numbers weren’t bad. He posted 15 total tackles as a corner, with a tackle for loss, two pass deflections, and an interception. 

But after the season, in the era of the NIL Wild Wild West, one program was looking to poach him.

After a full year of dedicating himself to the Tide and bringing on the talented recruit in Williams, one program made Mbakwe an offer so intriguing, that it was hard to pass up on.

And then he found himself in the transfer portal.

It was speculated that Ole Miss was the culprit, but nothing really confirmed the suspicions.

Just a day later though, the Pinson native pulled out of the portal and announced he was staying put in Tuscaloosa.

The belief was that Mbakwe wanted more snaps at wide receiver and that whatever program was offering him the moon, was going to give him that.

But you have to understand, DeBoer didn’t plan for this. He has gone on to recruit several stud wide receivers like Lotzeir Brooks and Derek Meadows, on top of who he already had like WIlliams and Germie Bernard.

Where was he going to fit Mbakwe?

That’s still a question we’re still trying to figure out.

Because through five games, Mbakwe has been nowhere to be found.

He’s collected one reception as a receiver, and one rush in a jet sweep. Beyond that, there hasn’t been much else.

It hasn’t been a major topic of discussion because the team has looked great since Week 1, but it’s a question to be asked  – what exactly is going on with Mbakwe? What is the overall plan here?

And if DeBoer and his staff still don’t know, you might as well just let him explore new avenues.