Alabama cornerback withdraws from transfer portal, staying with Crimson Tide

The highly-touted Alabama freshman will now return to Tuscaloosa next fall.

After previously announcing that he would be entering the NCAA transfer portal Monday night, Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe according to reports will no longer be doing so, and will instead return to Tuscaloosa for the 2025 season.

Mbakwe, a true freshman, saw action in 11 games for the Crimson Tide this season at cornerback where he had 15 tackles, one TFL, one interception, and two PD. The true freshman also saw action on special teams, returning two punts for 46 yards.

Prior to Alabama, Mbakwe was a major piece of the Crimson Tide’s 2024 recruiting class where he was rated as a five-star prospect out of in-state Clay-Chalkville High School. The lone two players rated higher than the cornerback were Ryan Williams and Julian Sayin, the latter of which never appeared in a game at Alabama before transferring.

Mbakwe will now officially return to Alabama in 2025 where he is likely to see increased playing time next season.