Jabbar Muhammad Interview: 'Film Study, Preparation Sets Me Apart'

Oregon cornerback Jabbar Muhammad is among the most productive and experienced defenders in the nation. Having already recorded nine pass breakups this season, Muhammad has been an every-down fixture for the No. 1 ranked program in the country.

Muhammad recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Muhammad discussed transferring to Oregon after previous stints at Oklahoma State and Washington, playing man and zone coverage, nickel corner, how he developed his infectious personality, and so much more.

JM: It's been quite the journey for you. How do you reflect on the decision to go from Oklahoma State and Washington to Oregon here for your senior season?

Jabbar Muhammad: I felt like coming to Oregon was the best decision for me. Obviously, I was at Oklahoma State. I wasn’t very happy there. As far as winning goes, I just didn’t feel like we had the same goals. Being content with making a Bowl game, that’s not what I’m about. 

I’m a competitor. I wanted to compete at a higher level with better goals. Ultimately, Oklahoma State was content with making a Bowl game. They were happy with that. It wasn’t for me. I’ve always been a competitor that wants to win at the highest level.

I entered the portal and went to Washington. I knew we would be a playoff-caliber team. That’s exactly what happened at Washington. We went to the National Championship Game and fell just short.

The head coach [Kalen DeBoer] decided to leave the program and I ended up connecting with coach Dan Lanning after I made that decision [to re-enter the portal].

JM: You were born in DeSoto and had the Texas high school football experience. That would have been a familiar experience for you at Oklahoma State as well. What was it like coming to the West Coast? That had to be different.

Jabbar Muhammad: It was definitely a little bit different. Football is football at the end of the day. Obviously, I went to a powerhouse [DeSoto] down south. When I was at Oklahoma State, everybody knew about DeSoto and Texas high school football. 

When I came to the West Coast, California, Washington, areas like that, they weren’t that familiar with DeSoto at all. They think their high school football is the best in the country (laughs). I had a few arguments here and there with my teammates, trying to explain Texas high school football to them. It was definitely a little different on the West Coast.

JM: You acclimated to Oregon immediately. You've become a keynote member of the defense. What do you think that says about your ability to adapt and fit in?

Jabbar Muhammad: Humbly speaking, I did the same thing at Oklahoma State and Washington. I’ve always hit the ground running. And now I’m doing it at Oregon as well. My ability to adapt makes me different. I’m somebody that gets around certain people and lifts them up.

I can soak up knowledge and help make everybody better. I gravitate towards people and I feel like they gravitate towards me as well. I have a really good personality and I’m a likable person. It’s worked out for me so far.

That’s how I grew up. People have always gravitated toward me because I’m a leader. I enjoy showcasing my skills.

JM: Speaking of showcasing those skills, you’ve been doing just that this year. You have nine pass breakups in 10 games. What is it about your skill set that allows you to make plays on the ball?

Jabbar Muhammad: I’ve grown so much as a player. I remember my first season of college football, I used to panic when the ball was in the air. I invite it now. I’ve come a long way. You know what I mean? I get happy when the ball is in the air now.

I know I can make plays on the ball. I’m always in the right position. At this point in my career, I know how to bait quarterbacks into a mistake. I know what looks are coming based on down and distance. I recognize formations and personnel and I know what’s coming.

I feel like I pretty much know when I’m going to be targeted based on what I’m seeing pre-snap. I’m a true student of the game that welcomes every aspect of competition. I love having ball production on my resume.

It’s so important as a cornerback. That’s how we find ways to impact the game. Whether I’m being targeted or not, I have to find a way to make my presence felt. My goal was to get 10 pass breakups this season and I’m one away (laughs).

I feel like my film study and my preparation sets me apart. That’s what’s gotten me to this point.

JM: You're extremely feisty and energetic in coverage. Where does that mentality come from? It's infectious and rubs off on your teammates.

Jabbar Muhammad: It most definitely does. If I’m being totally honest, it’s a family thing. I have six brothers and 61 first cousins (laughs). I’ve been competitive my entire life. If I’m being real, a lot of that energy comes from always getting the short end of the stick. I was underrecruited out of high school.

In college, I was at a school, I won’t say which school, but a few of the people on staff didn’t think I could play at this level. They didn’t think I could do this or that. I’ve always had confidence in myself though.

When I display my skill set and I’m making plays on the ball, the competitor with that infectious energy comes out of me. I always remember those who said I couldn’t do it or that I wouldn’t make it to this level.

I play with a ton of passion. I definitely have a chip on my shoulder.

JM: Do you see yourself playing boundary corner or the nickel at the next level? What position are you most comfortable with?

Jabbar Muhammad: That’s a great question. I feel like I’m very versatile. I’m literally comfortable anywhere. I don’t know if that’s because I’m ambidextrous or what. People ask me if I prefer playing on the left or right [cornerback]. I literally feel comfortable at both. It’s nothing to me.

JM: I feel like you prefer playing man coverage over zone though. You're sticky in man. Is that accurate in your opinion?

Jabbar Muhammad: I mean, I feel like I’m a complete corner, no matter what the call is. I obviously specialize in playing man-to-man coverage. I feel like I’m a really good zone corner as well. No matter what, I’m going to head out there and execute.

JM: I'll put you in a scenario then. Say it's 3rd-and-long. Would you rather be manned up on the best receiver, or playing zone with a chance to make a play on the ball near the sticks?

Jabbar Muhammad: That’s tough. You know what? If I’m playing man coverage on the best receiver on 3rd-and-long, the ball is probably coming that way anyway (laughs). I’ll probably take the man coverage scenario because I’m going to eliminate their No. 1 receiver.

JM: I think you found a loophole in that question (laughs). When I turn the tape on, I see an instinctive corner that pairs technique with ball skills and football IQ. Talk to me about staying consistent with your technique, because you’re not a guy that relies on just athleticism.

Jabbar Muhammad: You’re right. That’s really big to me. I’ve been training to play the cornerback position since I was in the fifth grade. A lot of what you’re seeing, the fundamentals and foundation were laid down a long time ago.

I’ve been running ladders since I was in the fifth grade. Cornerback has been my primary position for a very long time. I could always fall back on that technique. My parents always told me skills pay the bills (laughs).

When my skills are on display, I feel like I’m the best cornerback in the country. Skills pay the bills at the end of the day. Technique has taken me a long way. I’m always displaying mental skills because that can bail you out every single time. I’ve made a career out of technique.

JM: We've appreciated your time today. This has been an outstanding conversation. In closing, Oregon is the No. 1 ranked program in the nation. What are your goals for the remainder of this season?

Jabbar Muhammad: Our goals are to stay the course. We know the sky’s the limit for this program the rest of the way. We have a special brotherhood in that locker room. That brotherhood is going to take us a long way.

We’re taking things day by day, game by game. We’re trying to go 1-0 every single week. We know what’s in front of us. We’re just staying the course.