Alabama football re-secured Jaylen Mbakwe Tuesday after he initially announced plans to enter the transfer portal Monday.

That means Mbakwe will be back for his second season after playing cornerback and returning punts some for Alabama in 2024.

Could he add receiver to his workload in 2025?

“I think it’s a little early to have a crystal clear version of what that would look like, other than we know that he’s a talented kid, he loves this place, and we’re glad that he’s here,” Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said Wednesday. “What that looks like in the future, the players decide what their role looks like by what they do in practice and in the offseason and those types of things. We’re excited about the potential of him having an opportunity to get the ball in his hands.”

Mbakwe has experience, albeit at the high school level at Clay-Chalkville, playing on offense. He has passed, rushed and caught passes before.

“He’s just got that trust factor that you have with him and it goes back to his high school days,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “You’re always looking at guys who can help you on the football field one way or another.”

Because of Mbakwe’s athleticism, there’s a chance Alabama could even use Mbakwe in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. The Crimson Tide has had several receivers enter the transfer portal, leaving Alabama with only a few healthy scholarship receivers.

“We’ll explore all options relative to who is on the roster and how we can best maximize those guys for the game,” Sheridan said. “Certainly he’s somebody that has familiarity with having the ball in his hands.”

Alabama is preparing to face the Wolverines in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. in Tampa, Florida.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.