It was a day of celebration and sadness at Clay-Chalkville High School today as Jaylen Mbakwe, D’Angelo “DJ” Barber, Mario Craver, JacQawn McRoy and Tevis Metcalf held a college scholarship signing ceremony to officially end their high school careers.

“This a great group of men,” Cougars head coach Drew Gilmer said. “While they will be remembered for bringing two blue maps (state championships) to Clay-Chalkville, they have outstanding character. Each one of them did things to make our team and community better.”

Mbakwe, who played three positions for the Cougars, is headed to Tuscaloosa to play for Alabama and coach Nick Saban. Rated as the top in-state recruit, Mbakwe could see playing time on both sides of the football. Primarily a defensive back, the talented Mbakwe could see time at receiver.

“Alabama has treated me like family,” the 6-foot-1, 170-pound athlete said. “The chance to play early and for a legendary coach like coach Saban is incredible.

The No. 4 cornerback in the country choose Alabama over Auburn, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Louisville and Texas A&M.

“It was fun switching positions each season,” Mbakwe said of his career at Clay-Chalkville. “We were able to do some great things. I want it to continue at Alabama.”

Barber, who will be remembered for the hit on Saraland quarterback K.J. Lacey to preserve the 2023 state championship win end the state championship game on Dec. 8, is headed to Auburn. Barber led the Cougars in tackles as a junior and made several highlight plays in 2023.

Among his other huge plays beside “The Stop,” Barber intercepted a pass and returned it for a score against Pell City.

“It says a lot about the work and program here because we have five guys headed to major colleges,” said Barber, a 6-1, 220-pounder. “Auburn feels like home and I love the atmosphere. I know that I have to get bigger and stronger. It is a blessing to be part of both programs.”

Barber, like his teammates at the signing ceremony, have all graduated and will be early college enrollees.

“DJ is a quiet, but effective person,” Gilmer said. “He was the last person to leave. One day, I came into the locker room and DJ was sweeping and cleaning up. He will do whatever it takes to make himself and those around him better.”

McRoy is heading west to Oregon to join coach Dan Lanning’s Ducks. “Shaq’s electric personality makes him an incredible person,” Gilmer said of the 6-9, 375-pound standout. “He has a ton of untapped talent.”

Craver, who was the big-play receiver for the Cougars, is headed to Mississippi State.

Metcalf, who spent a majority of time dealing with an injury this past season, is going to Arkansas. Metcalf just returned from U.S. Army All-American game.

“These guys will be missed, but I am excited to see what the future has in place for them,” Gilmer said. “We want this for all of our players. This was a special group.”