Alabama Crimson Tide has been in the headlines since last Saturday. Their first loss of the season was very shocking. Who thought former head coach Nick Saban’s team would lose to Vanderbilt? This season has proven to be unpredictable, emphasizing the theme of expecting the unexpected in college football.

After legendary head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, Alabama fans were left disheartened, wondering who could continue his remarkable 17-year legacy. Kalen DeBoer was soon named the new head coach, but since then, analysts and media outlets have questioned his potential to lead the Crimson Tide. Despite starting strong with back-to-back wins, last Saturday’s defeat has reignited concerns about DeBoer’s leadership qualities and ability to uphold Alabama’s storied football tradition. Although Nick Saban is not the HC anymore, he is going to be part of the Tide’s football program forever. Alabama has Nick Saban’s remarkable story of recruiting. Let’s hear about cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe from Alabama’s director, Bob Welton.

The New Wave Podcast recently featured an interview with Bodb and two promising young talents from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Bob highlighted the dedication and enthusiasm of Jaylen Mbakwe, aka Bak’s family, involved in his recruiting process. He also shed light on the number of meetings the player has attended with former head coach Saban. “So we’re saying Bak probably holds a record for the most Saban meetings in the history of recruiting because Bak would be here with his family like 2:30 game. They’re here at nine, yeah, because mom and dad wanted those kids out of the house.”

The director further highlights the lively and supportive atmosphere at the Alabama football facility, particularly during recruiting visits. “They had come to the facility that players lounge, and they would just run wild at his parents, who did not have to worry about him and have to worry him and then coach would be sitting there with say, we nothing like I got Bach yeah so Bach would come up and meet with coach for out you know, until like, long time, long time, and we’d watch the kids and Players Lounge, and it’d be great.”

Numerous meetings with players and family speak about Saban’s hands-on approach to recruitment, where his personal interactions were key.

Alabama CB Coach Maurice Linguist explains Jaylen Mbakwe’s absence at Vanderbilt

Last Saturday, Vanderbilt fans stormed the field after their team defeated the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. This unexpected loss came after Alabama’s impressive victory over Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs, leading many to believe that head coach Kalen DeBoer was on the right track. However, the defeat against an unranked Vanderbilt has reignited criticism of DeBoer’s strategies.

Their key player, freshman cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, one of the top players in the 2024 class, was absent from the game. On3 reported Alabama cornerbacks coach Maurice Linguist’s statement after their game, where he really did not reveal the reason why Mbakwe was out of the game and said, “There’s nothing into that. We just didn’t get him in there.” He added, “The game was flowing. He’s a big part of everything that we’re doing. Had a great week so far, Tuesday and Wednesday, and fully expect him to be prepared and ready to go against South Carolina.”

According to Pro Football Focus, the new recruit has participated in all four of Alabama’s games during the 2024 season as part of the cornerback rotation. Mbakwe is a very important player in Crimson Tide’s squad. He was one of three five-star cornerbacks who signed with Alabama this offseason. According to On3 Industry Rankings. He is ranked as the No. 16 player in the nation, the second-best cornerback in the Class of 2024.