The highest-profile development on this year’s college football coaching carousel is complete, with Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer departing from his program and filling Alabama’s vacancy. The Crimson Tide hired the rising star just two days after legendary coach Nick Saban announced his retirement. In the immediate wake of DeBoer’s exit from Washington, two of his most important defensive players — starting cornerbacks Jabbar Muhammad and Mishael Powell — entered the transfer portal, kicking off the Huskies’ 30-day transfer window.
All Washington players have 30 days to enter the portal and maintain immediate eligibility at their destination programs. Per NCAA regulations, coaching changes trigger a month-long period in which student-athletes may seek a new home for the following season. It remains to be seen how many Huskies will leave the program, and which of that group will follow DeBoer to Alabama.
Muhammad is the most impactful early departure from Washington’s roster. He becomes a two-time transfer after joining the Huskies by way of Oklahoma State ahead of the 2023 season. The veteran pass defender immediately became UW’s primary corner and led the team with 17 pass breakups. He logged three interceptions, two of which came in the victory at Oregon State.
“I want to thank Coach DeBoer and the entire coaching staff for welcoming me in with open arms,” Muhammad said in a social media post. “This year was special and I created memories with my brothers that will last a lifetime. I wish Coach DeBoer nothing but the best as he takes the next step in his journey!”
Powell, meanwhile, tied Muhammad for the team lead in interceptions with three of his own. The other starting cornerback tallied six pass breakups and finished one spot below Muhammad on the team tackle leaderboard with 38 stops. He also posted 2.5 tackles for loss.
The defensive back tandem started every game this season. Muhammad earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors during his outstanding campaign, while Powell picked up multiple weekly awards from the Washington coaching staff throughout his career-best year.
Muhammad and Powell instantly become intriguing names for Alabama in its search to replace both of its starting corners. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are off to the NFL Draft, opening two prominent spots in the starting lineup for the 2024 season. While there is no guarantee the Washington duo follows its head coach to Tuscaloosa, both players could be options to slot into the Crimson Tide’s depth chart.
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Washington’s pass defense struggled mightily throughout the 2023 campaign, ranking 117th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (258.6). The Huskies were much stingier on a per-completion basis, though, limiting opponents to a mere 13.71 yards per catch — good for 20th in the FBS.
