Washington transfer to Alabama Over…

The Texas Longhorns’ impressive run in the transfer portal encountered a substantial setback on a recent Saturday when former Washington Huskies cornerback Jabbar Muhammad made the decision to commit to the Oregon Ducks. This choice came despite strong competition from both the Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide, with Muhammad’s visit to Eugene ultimately swaying his allegiance.

In the preceding week, it appeared that Texas was on the verge of securing Muhammad’s commitment. Head coach Steve Sarkisian reportedly took the lead in recruiting Muhammad, prioritizing him for the program and aiming to finalize his commitment before the talented cornerback could explore alternative options. However, Muhammad proceeded with his plans to visit his former head coach, Kalen DeBoer, at Alabama, and subsequently journeyed to Oregon, where the Ducks successfully secured his commitment.

Muhammad elucidated the factors influencing his decision, stating, “Honestly, just who’s gonna be able to contend. As a competitor, you always want to be one of the last ones standing. I want to get to the final 12, the playoffs. I want to be in a system where I can be used in a variety of different ways to show my talents. And I want to be on a really good football team. Like I said my last year, really good teams are really important for going to the next level. And that’s also what I want to do. I also want to get in a situation where I’m propelled and ready to go to the NFL.”

Originally considered a consensus three-star prospect in the 2020 class, Muhammad left a significant impact during his tenure at Washington, evolving into one of the nation’s top cover cornerbacks. His defensive prowess was evident in notable statistics, including tackles, interceptions, sacks, and forced fumbles, both during his time with the Cowboys and later at Washington.

Despite Texas having the most former players on active rosters during the 2023 regular season and a strong start to the postseason, the miss on Muhammad leaves the Longhorns with an unfulfilled need at boundary cornerback. The team will now have to address this gap through the transfer portal during the upcoming spring window. While Texas has been successful in securing numerous high-profile recruits via the portal, Oregon managed to outmaneuver Sarkisian and his staff for Muhammad, along with Houston defensive tackle transfer Ja’Marree Caldwell. This development has prevented the Longhorns from assembling their envisioned group of transfers, marking a noteworthy twist in their pursuit of bolstering the roster.