The departure of coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama has ushered in a series of significant developments for the University of Washington’s football program. In a surprising twist, Jabbar Muhammad, the cornerback, has chosen to swap the iconic burnt orange of Texas for the vibrant green and yellow of the Oregon Ducks.
The Washington transfer had initially garnered significant interest from the Longhorns. But ultimately decided to take his talents to the Dan Lanning’s Ducks.
Muhammad’s decision to join Oregon
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Now at Alabama, coach DeBoer aims to bring several key players with him to Tuscaloosa. With the coach shifting teams, Washington Huskies have found themselves at the center of a recruiting storm. Among the prized possessions, it was Muhammad who stood out as a defensive back in the transfer portal. The player announced his commitment to Lanning’s squad through a tweet on Jan 28. However, his journey to Oregon was not smooth since the Texas Longhorns actively sought his commitment.
🦆📦👎🏽👎🏽 pic.twitter.com/rlpspa2dqD
— Jabbar Muhammad (@jabbar7_) January 27, 2024
A top contender for Muhammad’s services, Texas offered the cornerback a chance to return to his home state and play alongside Malik Muhammad, his cousin and a rising sophomore cornerback. Since the Longhorns were experiencing defensive struggles in the Playoffs, his addition could have bolstered their defensive lineup.
However, Muhammad emphasized his desire to be part of a program with legitimate playoff aspirations. Hence having only one season of eligibility, the former Washington player enrolled himself with the Oregons. With this, Muhammad became the fourth defensive back transfer to commit to Oregon this offseason opening a series of possibilities.
Impactful records of Muhammad’s college career
Muhammad’s collegiate journey began in 2020 at Oklahoma State, where he devoted three seasons to honing his skills. He had joined the Washington Huskies last offseason and during the program, he stood out by recording 46 total tackles, two sacks, 14 passes defended, one fumble recovery and three interceptions.
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Besides, after transferring from Oklahoma State in late 2022, being part of the Huskies, he triumphed in finishing second in the Pac-12 holding an impressive record where he defended 20 passes. With this, he earned a coveted spot on the All-Pac-12 second team that followed the recognition of Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week.
His remarkable performance propelled Washington to claim a 37-31 victory over Texas in the College Football Playoff at the Sugar Bowl. Hence, with Muhammad’s commitment to Lanning’s squad, the Ducks gain a seasoned player with a proven track record.
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The cornerback’s playmaking skills and versatility make him a valuable asset for Oregon’s defense line. In regard to this, Muhammad looks forward to making significant upgrades to their defensive schemes and implementing his experience of being positioned under pressure multiple times.
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