Alabama's Malachi Moore out for bowl game, Jaylen Mbakwe transfer saga

Alabama will be without one of its leaders on Dec. 31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. Defensive back Malachi Moore underwent season-ending surgery on Wednesday, ending his Alabama career. Coach Kalen DeBoer noted that it was a season-long, lingering injury for Moore, who found ways to play through it during the regular season.

The initial hope was time off could help Moore play against Michigan, but recent conversations led to him opting for surgery and preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft.

“He wanted to do everything he could to get out there,” DeBoer said. “The biggest thing I’ll say is he grinded through the whole year with it. Hats off to how much he loves this place, and how bad he wanted to finish his career off with these guys. Unfortunately, that won’t happen.”

Moore’s absence means Alabama will be without its initial three starting safeties against Michigan (Moore and Keon Sabb due to injury, plus DeVonta Smith’s transfer). There will be an influx of young talent on Dec. 31. Bray Hubbard will start at one safety spot, the Husky (slot corner) position will likely be a mix of DaShawn Jones and Red Morgan. Moore’s listed backup is King Mack, but Kameron Howard and Zay Mincey will get a look over the next week.

“It’ll be a mix and match,” DeBoer said. “(Moore’s decision to have surgery) literally just happened, it’s not like we’ve had a week or two to think and work through this. But it’ll be young guys.”

On the other side, Michigan will be without several notable players as well. Its list of high-profile opt-outs includes defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland, cornerback Will Johnson and running back Donovan Edwards. According to BetMGM, Alabama is a 10.5-point favorite.

Elsewhere, Alabama’s transfer portal activity continued Wednesday when Utah cornerback Cameron Calhoun announced his commitment. A former four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Calhoun signed with Michigan then transferred to Utah for the 2024 season. The 6-foot, 177-pound cornerback played in 11 games with one start, recording 21 tackles, one interception and nine pass break-ups — fourth-best in the Big 12.

He will have three years of eligibility remaining and will have an immediate opportunity to contribute in 2025 with a young secondary. He is the second commitment in two days, joining Florida defensive lineman Kelby Collins who committed on Tuesday.

This week’s Alabama football notebook spans a few other notable program topics, from the upcoming bowl to the latest in the team’s roster management.

Looking ahead after a chaotic 24 hours with Jaylen Mbakwe

DeBoer described the ongoing December transfer portal window as a “day-to-day process.” There’s perhaps no greater example than five-star freshman Jaylen Mbakwe expressing his intent to enter the portal on Monday, then reversing course on Tuesday.

“I’ve heard that you have to re-recruit your team,” DeBoer said. “To me, you’re recruiting your team all year long, and you’re doing it through building relationships. You get to this point, you have those conversations.”

One aspect of Mbakwe’s initial decision to transfer was the potential to play on offense, where he starred in high school as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver. The plan was always for Mbakwe to transition to defensive back at Alabama, including under Saban, which he did during the 2024 season. When Mbakwe released his initial departure statement, he referred to leaving Alabama as “a business decision.”

What transpired in the following hours on social media were cryptic messages from Alabama players including Ryan Williams and Domani Jackson to Ole Miss director of on-campus recruiting Santana McKnight, who used the same phrase Williams used to lure Mbakwe back: “Bingo we got action,” with the hashtag #TransferToTheSip. Her tweet was deleted soon after but seemed to indicate Ole Miss could have been the school leading the charge to lure Mbakwe away.

On Wednesday, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne released a statement via X, campaigning for continued support of Alabama’s Yea collective, and suggested other programs are tampering with Alabama’s players.

“Although we have been competitive from an NIL standpoint, our competition has us in their sights and are actively trying to surge ahead with NIL,” Byrne wrote. “You have heard examples of other teams using promises of million-dollar paydays to lure away our players or convince them not to come to Alabama. It is time for the Bama Nation to fight back.”

Alabama fans,

Over the past few years, there have been drastic changes in college athletics. We have been careful during this transitional period to protect our position at the top of college athletics while being mindful to listen, engage and learn from our generous…

— Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) December 18, 2024

Mbakwe never officially entered the transfer portal and on Tuesday, led by more positive reinforcement from his teammates and a conversation with the coaching staff, decided to stay at Alabama.

“The conversation with me is that he wanted to come back,” DeBoer said. “I think some guys as they go through it just realize what they want. We’re in the world now where that’s what it is, but we’re excited that he wants to be here with us. And he was back out there going to work (on Thursday).”

Moving forward, Mbakwe’s role in the upcoming bowl game and 2025 has become a leading storyline. His desire to play on offense has been heard by Alabama coaches, and with a depleted receiver room for the upcoming bowl game, a role could come sooner rather than later.

“We’ve been open to what he can bring to the table (since he arrived),” DeBoer said. “This is certainly a time where we can figure that out, he’s super talented.”

This time Alabama won the battle and kept a prized player in the program. Mbakwe’s role will evolve next season, but the thought is he will be an involved player at all three levels potentially — utility on offense, defensive back and as a returner on special teams.

“I think Jaylen Mbakwe is a great football player,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “Wherever he plays he will make our roster better.”

Young players impress through in bowl practice

Moore’s injury adds to a long list of Alabama players who will not play against Michigan due to injury or entering the transfer portal. As it stands now, Alabama will have about 65 players available on Dec. 31. Positions most affected by attrition include wide receiver (four players available), offensive tackle (three players available) and defensive line (nine players available).

Several young players have had a chance to make an impression with the increased opportunity. Here are a few players who were highlighted on Wednesday:

DeBoer on redshirt freshman QB Austin Mack: “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team. He’s doing stuff on his own pretty much every day. He’s really come a long way, it’s fun to see him take advantage of even the scout team reps he gets.”

Wommack on redshirt freshman DL Keon Keeley: “I’m excited as I’ve ever been about Keon Keeley. … He was a highly-touted guy (in high school), but this is a perfect example of a guy not trying to pigeonhole a guy. Let’s let him develop, as all big people do, and he’s getting more comfortable with the defense.

“There were some plays he made today where I said this guy is trending in the right direction. Keon Keeley will be a good football player here at Alabama.”

Nick Sheridan on true freshman WR Rico Scott: “Really exciting young player. He’s a player in his time here, in scrimmages or when he’s been out there, has executed at a really high level. He’s a tough, smart and dependable player who is excited for this opportunity.”

Wommack on true freshman DB Zay Mincey: “Here’s a dude that’s 6-2, he’s over 200 pounds now, he has great coverage skills because he’s played a corner position his whole career. Now he’s moved to the safety position. The sky’s the limit for him. I’m really excited with what I have seen for him thus far at the safety position.”

Updated transfer portal tracker

Collins, the former Florida D-lineman, announced his intent to transfer to Alabama on Tuesday night. Alabama’s football program made it official soon afterward. The Alabama native recorded 29 tackles, three sacks and 15 quarterback hurries in 18 career appearances. More than anything, DeBoer sees his addition boosting pass rush efforts next season.

“Versatility,” DeBoer said of Collins’ skillset. “Just a guy that can come in and did a lot of different things and add to a group that has good numbers and competition but adds his niche. Help add to what we want to get better at — getting to the quarterback.”