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The Alabama Crimson Tide took positive strides in Kalen DeBoer’s second season as head coach, but the year still ended with a disappointing second-round loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff — a 38–3 defeat.
Now, the focus has shifted to the NCAA transfer portal, which opened on Friday, and Alabama is off to a less-than-ideal start. The Crimson Tide have already lost several key players, including former five-star two-way cornerback and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.
It was revealed on Monday that Mbakwe will be committing to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. A blue-chip recruit from the Class of 2024, Mbakwe was ranked as the nation’s second-best cornerback and the No. 12 overall prospect in his class.
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Mbakwe logged just three catches for 55 yards this season in Tuscaloosa after being moved primarily to wide receiver, having spent the bulk of his freshman year at cornerback.
Now, he’ll join a Georgia Tech team led by head coach Brent Key, who has helped guide the Yellow Jackets’ resurgence into one of the more prominent programs in the ACC.
Georgia Tech finished the season 9–4 overall, ending the year with a loss to the BYU Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Key also served as Alabama’s offensive line coach from 2016 to 2018 under Nick Saban.
As for DeBoer, heading into Monday morning, the Crimson Tide have already lost 15 players to the transfer portal, including four wide receivers, but have been linked to several high-profile targets. Quarterback Ty Simpson has also not ruled out a potential return next season, which could provide another major boost for Alabama.
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