Two more Alabama football players plan to enter the transfer portal, highlighted by former five-star freshman defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe, who announced his decision Monday. Wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. also plans to enter the portal, according to a source briefed on the situation. Mbakwe and Henderson’s expected departures bring the total number of Alabama transfers to 12 since the winter window opened. There are still two more weeks remaining in this window.
Meanwhile, tight end Danny Lewis Jr. rescinded his name from the portal on Monday and will return.
Mbakwe’s decision to transfer is one of the most notable and surprising developments of this period. The No. 12 overall player in the 2024 class is an Alabama native who was committed to the Tide for nearly two years, committing in July 2022 before enrolling in January 2024. He has a close relationship with fellow freshman Ryan Williams and was a key component in his re-recruitment to Alabama. Mbakwe was a consistent rotation player at cornerback, playing in 10 of 12 games totaling 12 tackles and one interception. He was also used as a punt returner.
Henderson is a former five-star recruit as well from the 2022 class, and was a spot rotation player at wide receiver this season, totaling four catches for 82 yards and also serving as the team’s primary kick returner.
Who are the other transfers?
QB Dylan Lonergan
WR Kendrick Law
WR Caleb Odom
WR Kobe Prentice
OL Naquil Betrand
DL Jehiem Oatis
DL Hunter Osborne
LB Keanu Koht (Vanderbilt)
DB Jahlil Hurley (Kansas)
DB DeVonta Smith (Notre Dame)
What do Mbakwe and Henderson’s expected departures mean short-term and long-term?
Mbakwe’s departure adds another contributor to the secondary who will miss the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl, with DeVonta Smith. Starter Domani Jackson has an NFL Draft decision to make, and should he enter, Mbakwe would have been the favorite to replace him opposite of Zabien Brown. In the long term, losing an athlete of Mbakwe’s caliber is a tough loss for the future of Alabma’s secondary. But it should be noted that Alabama has recruited very well at that position in the last two recruiting classes.
Henderson’s expected departure is more of a blow in the short term. Alabama will only have four healthy wide receivers for the bowl game: Williams, Germie Bernard, Rico Scott and Jaren Hamilton. In the long term, the room should be formidable in 2025.
Williams and Bernard returning in 2025 as the two leading receivers is big. Cole Adams showed promise before his season-ending injury, as did Jalen Hale in 2023 before his season-ending injury in spring practice. Additionally, there are several freshmen and incoming freshmen who would see bigger roles next season. Alabama’s been active in the transfer portal in identifying veteran help, so it’s a room that should be revamped ahead of January.
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(Photo: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
