Five-star commit talks Alabama’s season opener: “We looked like a complete team.”

The Alabama Crimson Tide began their 2023 season on a good note. Behind a five-touchdown performance by quarterback Jalen Milroe, Bama easily took care of Middle Tennessee by a score of 56-7.

In attendance for the Tide’s season opener was their longest-tenured commitment in the Class of 2024: Five-star athlete Jaylen Mbakwe. The Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville High School product had high marks for how the whole team performed on Saturday.

“I think they played well,” Mbakwe told BamaOnLine. “Defense flying to the ball. Quarterback play was excellent. Everyone looks hungry and played with a chip on their shoulders. The offensive line looks great, honestly. Didn’t get to see too much from the running backs, but the receivers looked good, also.

“We looked like a complete team,” Mbakwe continued. “This week, we will really find out where we are as a defense.”

Jaylen Mbakwe is impressed with new DC Kevin Steele

Back in March, Mbakwe expressed excitement about the return of defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, saying he couldn’t wait for “that fire to come back.”

The nation’s No. 1 athlete, who was recruited as a cornerback, provided an assessment of Steele’s first game at Alabama since his return.

“I think he turned this defense around great,” Mbakwe said of Steele. “They’re hungrier and feel like they have a point to prove. Everybody is buying in to what he is doing.”

Focusing specifically on the secondary, Mbakwe liked what he saw from Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. What he’s most interested in seeing, however, is how the group fares against the likes of Xavier Worthy and others this upcoming Saturday.

“Terrion and Kool-Aid look good,” Mbakwe said. “Not really too much to say on those guys. They put in the work this offseason, so they are just getting out what they put in.

“DBs [as a whole] looked good,” Mbakwe continued. “Like I said, we have a test this Saturday, so we will see where we stand. Everybody looks hungry back there. Can’t wait for this Saturday.”

The Crimson Tide have an important weekend coming up

In what is expected to be a top-10 matchup, Alabama — Texas will be a pivotal game for both programs. Nick Saban even said this week that it will be a “good barometer” for them to find out who they are as a team.

Mbakwe shared his thoughts on what he’d like to see this weekend.

“From an offensive standpoint, the quarterback play and the receivers, honestly,” Mbakwe said. “Defensively, everybody flying to the ball and see how disciplined we are as a team this year.”

So, what is his score prediction for the game?

“[Alabama] 41-20,” Mbakwe replied.

With this being the biggest game of the college football weekend, Alabama will welcome a laundry list of prep prospects on Saturday. Mbakwe plans on doing some recruiting at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I’ll see who we have in store this weekend but I want [Ohio State commit] Eddrick Houston right now. Trying to get him to flip,” Mbakwe said. “[My recruiting pitch is] basically just come play for the best coach in college football and be a first rounder.”

Mbakwe is “locked in” with Alabama

It’s been over 13 months since Mbakwe announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Since then, he has taken visits elsewhere, including an official visit to Auburn in June.

Where do things stand right now with Mbakwe and his Alabama pledge?

“Locked in,” Mbakwe said emphatically. “What’s keeping me locked in is just the environment and the players. There is not much more I can say about that. I’ve been committed since July 26th going into my junior year.”

Mbakwe is a part of a 2024 class that also features fellow cornerback commitments Jameer Grimsley and Zabien Brown. This is a trio with a lot of potential given how well they complement each other.

“This group is very talented,” Mbakwe said of this cornerbacks class. “Can’t wait to see how our first year goes. We’re going to be great.”

Mbakwe stated that he plans on being at every single Alabama home game. He will not visit any other school besides Bama this fall.

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