Jabbar Muhammad explains decision to transfer from Washington to Oregon
Jabbar Muhammad made the one move no Washington fan wanted to see.
When the standout UW cornerback hit the transfer portal, it had to be expected. Former UW coach Kalen DeBoer had left for Alabama, opening a 30-day window for players to enter the portal and explore their options. He considered Alabama, and he took his time throughout the process.
And then he committed to the Ducks on Saturday.
After helping UW beat Oregon to win the Pac-12 in 2023, Muhammad will spend the final year of his college career trying to boost his stock as much as he can. He told Ducks Digest’s Max Torres the decision came down to Oregon being the best fit.
“For the last year of my career, I just think it’s the best fit for me. It’s a stable situation and I get to play with a defensive head coach which I’ve never done before,” he told Torres. “Just the ins and outs of the scheme is gonna put me in position to make plays. Just Oregon. Just knowing what kind of market Oregon had up there. They’re gonna market you. They’re gonna do a good job promoting you and putting you out there. Just putting myself in the position to be drafted next year and just being able to play at the next level.”
Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi should be able to make the most of their one season with Muhammad.
In 2022, Christian Gonzalez transferred to Oregon and, a year later, was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Last offseason, Khyree Jackson transferred to Oregon. He’ll surely be drafted in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Both Gonzalez and Jackson had exceptional length at the position, and they made the most of their single seasons in Eugene.
Muhammad, at 5-foot-10, is a bit smaller but comes to town with just as strong a pedigree.
Among qualified Pac-12 corners this past season, Muhammad’s 79.4 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus ranked as the fourth-best. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection after posting 46 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, and 17 pass breakups (which ranked third nationally).