Jaylen Mbakwe pointed to the sky.
The Georgia Tech cornerback was taken from the field on a stretcher early in the third quarter in Saturday’s 45-24 loss to Tennessee.
Mbakwe was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and released on Sunday, according to a Tech social media post. The nature of his injury has not yet been revealed.
“It looked like he was talking and moving when they took him off,” Tech coach Brent Key said. “That’s all I know at this point.”
Mbakwe remained down for several minutes after a short run by the Volunteers. He was placed on a stretcher with Key by his side, and many of his teammates gathered around him.
As Mbakwe was taken from the field, he shook hands with Key and pointed up.
“It’s always not a good feeling seeing a brother go down, seeing somebody put it all on the line for the team and for the game,” Jackets senior linebacker E.J. Lightsey said. “It just makes you want to play harder, play for your brother.”
Mbakwe won a starting spot at Tech after transferring from Alabama earlier this year.
The 6-foot, 200-pound former 5-star recruit from Clay, Alabama, played quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back in high school.
He spent two seasons at Alabama, splitting time between defensive back, wide receiver and special teams. He had three catches for 55 yards last season.
“Seeing him go down is hard,” Tech safety Savion Riley said. “We practice every day on the same side a lot. Just prayers to him and his family.”
Key noted Mbakwe as a key contributor in limiting Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis in last week’s season-opening loss. Mbakwe had one tackle before exiting against Tennessee.
Mbakwe’s role extends beyond his statistics. His outgoing personality quickly endeared him to teammates after his transfer from Alabama.
“You’re going to see him goofy all the time,” cornerback Daiquan White said last month. “He just kind of brings a light to the defense, makes everybody play as one and come together.”
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