A-List No. 2: Fun for Clay-Chalkvilleâs Jaylen Mbakwe means frustration for opponents

The A-List is AL.com’s ranking of the top 15 senior prospects in the state of Alabama. We will count down one each day until No. 1 is revealed Aug. 23.

Jaylen Mbakwe likes to keep things loose on the football field.

Defenders fare better chasing phantoms than trying to catch the elusive Clay-Chalkville quarterback, AL.com’s No. 2 A-List senior prospect. Mbakwe uses the same ability to shut down offensive threats when switching to defensive back, his probable college position.

Fun for Alabama commit Mbakwe means frustration for opponents.

“I’m a very goofy person and I like to play around,” Mbakwe said. “I just feel like that in life, there’s basically nothing to be sad about. Life is short so I take every chance I got to have fun.”

Mbakwe has been a legend around the Center Point playing fields for years, leading his youth league teams to championships. Stories abound about his athletic prowess and plays that wowed onlookers.

The speedster — he ran a sub-11 second 100-meter time at the track and field state championships — carried that ability honed through the years over to the varsity level by helping Clay-Chalkville to the Class 6A title as a sophomore.

Alabama recruiters and coach Nick Saban recognized the talent early.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Mbakwe committed to Alabama in July 2022. He plans to graduate in December and participate in 2024 spring practice at Alabama.

“Coach Saban coaching DB and me being a DB and he put in all these DBs in the NFL, that was basically like one of my things,” Mbakwe said about choosing the Tide. “Then it’s just a family atmosphere and talking to coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) and coach (Freddie) Roach and stuff like that so, yeah, that’s why.”

Mbakwe has always played quarterback and defensive back since lacing up the cleats as a 5-year-old. He thinks the knowledge learned from both positions helps with the other.

“Being a DB gives me a huge advantage playing quarterback,” he said. “Like, just knowing defenses and knowing where everybody’s going be and stuff like that.

“(Being a quarterback) helps a lot at DB. If I get a short drop, I know it’s something short or the three-step drop, I know it’s a medium (route), maybe. If it’s five steps, I know it’s probably something deep. Just basic stuff like that helps me.”

All that translates to fun for Mbakwe, who takes levity to another level with teammates.

“I make jokes and have fun, maybe like dancing or doing anything to help the team have a good vibe and be happy,” Mbakwe said. “Stuff like that can make you practice better, can make you a great team just like that’s how it was my 10th grade year. We won the state championship and we were having fun on the field, off the field, just hanging out and stuff like.”

A-LIST NO. 2: JAYLEN MBAKWE, CLAY-CHALKVILLE

Position: ATH

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 170

College status: Committed to Alabama

Randy Kennedy’s scouting report: Jalen Mbakwe has all the same qualities that made Kool-Aid McKinstry a 5-star recruit, All-American player and future first-round NFL draft pick. Mbakwe’s elite speed and good length make him a strong candidate to be Alabama next great cornerback after he’s done playing quarterback for Clay-Chalkville.

THE 2024 A-LIST

No. 15: Josh Flowers, QB, Baker

No. 14: Bobby Pruitt, LB, Theodore

No. 13: JaCorey Whitted, TE, McAdory

No. 12: Kevin Riley, RB, Tuscaloosa County

No. 11: J’Marion Burnette, RB, Andalusia

No. 10: William Sanders, OL, Brookwood

No. 9: Jordan Ross, EDGE, Vestavia Hills

No. 8: Joseph Phillips, LB, Booker T. Washington

No. 7: Sterling Dixon, LB, Spanish Fort

No. 6: Isaia Faga, DL, Central-Phenix City

No. 5: Jeremiah Beaman, DL, Parker