Jaylen Mbakwe said that he would be skipping school on Friday for his 18th birthday after a dominant performance in a monument win on Thursday night. He followed through and took his team bowling instead!
Mbakwe, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2024, is listed as an “athlete” because he can do it all. However, he likely fits best as a defensive back on the next level. Regardless of where he plays in college, the Pinson, Alabama-native is a five-star recruit, the top player in the Yellowhammer state, and a top-20 player overall.
He committed to play for the in-state Crimson Tide over 29 offers from Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Ole Miss, Tennessee, USC, and Nebraska, among others. It was a big get for Alabama and Thursday was a testament to his talent.
Mbakwe lined up at quarterback for Clay-Chalkville High School, a 6A school, and led his team to victory over Thompson, the top-ranked 7A school, for the first time in his four-year career. His stat line was remarkable.
- Passing: 10-of-13 for 100 yards
- Rushing: 29 carries for 168 yards and five touchdowns
Nobody could stop Mbakwe, who is also the state champion in the 100 and 200-meter sprints. Clay-Chalkville won a 36-33 thriller behind his performance.
The Cougars, who moved to 6-0 on the season with the win, also converted a crucial two-point conversion during the fourth quarter on a tackle-eligible screen. 6-foot-9, 355-pound senior JacQawn McRoy barreled through the Warriors defense en route to pay dirt and it was awesome.
But that’s beside the point.
It was Jaylen Mbakwe’s day.
Not only did Mbakwe win, he won on his birthday. It was a special moment for the entire Mbakwe family.
As is tradition, Mbakwe conducted the Clay-Chalkville band following the win. He also made it abundantly clear that he did not intend to be in class the next day.
When local reporter Brett Greenberg asked him if it would be hard to focus in school after the win — on his 18th birthday — Mbakwe said: “Nope, I ain’t going to school tomorrow!”
Mbakwe followed through on his vow! Greenberg confirmed that he received an excused absence from school on Friday.
Mbakwe took the rest of his football team bowling instead of class to celebrate his birthday and the win. Go crazy, Pinson!