American football undergraduate player Jaylen Mbakwe has calmed all apprehension that followed a nasty injury he suffered during action for Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in a fixture of the USA’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Sports247 reports that Mbakwe had to be rushed out of the arena to hospital on a stretcher, following ‘a frightening collision’ with one of his teammates, Jordan Walker, in the second half of The Yellow Jackets’ match with The Volunteers, which left players, coaches, officials and fans stunned.
With 14:09 remaining in the third quarter, Mbakwe’s helmet struck Walker’s knee as both defenders went for a tackle, following which the other player got up painfully, but the Nigerian-born lad remained down, prompting medical personnel to rush onto the pitch.
Play was halted as medics treated Mbakwe, then strapped him to a stretcher and off to Grady Hospital, but he gave the crowd a thumbs-up while being stretchered out, following which his team lost 45-24 to the No. 18-ranked squad from Tennessee.
A report by Nick Bromberg added, “Georgia Tech cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe said that he was doing well after he was stretchered off the field and taken to Grady Hospital after a scary collision with teammate Jordan Walker during the Yellow Jackets’ loss to Tennessee on Saturday.
“Mbakwe’s head hit Walker’s knee as the two were making a tackle in the third quarter of the 45-24 defeat. Walker was carried from the field with an apparent knee injury, while training staff moved to immobilize Mbakwe.
“The defensive back posted on social media Saturday night that he was ‘fine and feeling well,’ (while) Georgia Tech said that Mbakwe had been released from the hospital after he was evaluated overnight.
“Mbakwe joined Georgia Tech in the off season, after spending the first two seasons of his college career at Alabama. When he signed with the Crimson Tide, he was the No. 16 recruit in the country and the No. 2 cornerback in the class of 2024 behind Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV.”
Sports247 gathered further that Mbakwe is in his first season with Georgia Tech, after transferring from Alabama, where he played in 22 games over two seasons in various roles as a cornerback, wide receiver and punt returner.
Mbakwe, a 6-foot, 195-pound junior from Clay, Alabama, played 22 games for Crimson Tide over the previous two years, during which he featured as cornerback in 2024 and caught three passes as a wide receiver last season, was credited with one tackle against The Volunteers before the injury.
Georgia Tech disclosed in a statement: “Jaylen Mbakwe was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for precautionary observation following his injury in the third quarter of Saturday night’s game. He was evaluated overnight and has been released.”
The player himself added via a post on X: “Minor Setback for a Major Comeback. Appreciate all the prayers and text messages so many to respond to but i’m fine and feeling well… As a team our goals is still right in front of us and we want the fans behind us every step of the way!!!”
Sports247 reports further that Mbakwe, who attended Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama where he played football and ran track, will now aim to return speedily in order to be part of his squad’s roster when they play host to Mercer next Saturday.
Over the course of his high school career, Mbakwe lined up as a receiver, running back, defensive back, kick/punt returner, and quarterback, following which he earned a spot to play in the Under Armour All-America Game and Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game after his senior season.
