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Photo by: John McGillen / USC Athletics
Why Not Jamil Muhammad?
September 07, 2023 | Football
When Jamil Muhammad suited up in Cardinal and Gold, it may have been destiny. The rush end's older brother Marquez, an LA resident, knew it all along, often saying, "You're going to be out here with me one day."
From watching his older brothers playing football in the yard, to becoming eligible to play contact football at age five, the sport had always been a constant in Muhammad's life.
Throughout his high school career, Muhammad was making strides being named an All-Region quarterback, while ringing in attention from colleges around the country. That is, until it all came crumbling down when Muhammad suffered an ACL tear two weeks before his junior season. According to Muhammad, it was a chronic tear that was already existing that had finally given out during one of his teams' final workouts.
"I got hurt and all my offers got clipped," said Muhammad. All but one of his collegiate offers were gone due to his injury, leaving him to start from square one.
At this pivotal time in his life, Muhammad found a way to use his injury as fuel for redemption.
"You can't ask, 'Why me?' Instead ask, 'Why not me?'" he said. "I feel that's why I'm relentless when it comes to anything. If I had to go back and change it, I probably wouldn't."
Muhammad committed to Vanderbilt as a quarterback, but after concluding spring ball, he transferred to Georgia State for the 2019 season.
After seeing a new opportunity for playing time due to existing personnel at Georgia State, Muhammad made a move that changed his game forever. The freshman changed positions from quarterback to outside linebacker.
"I always had an aggressive mindset at quarterback, but you have to totally switch all your gears when you move to that position," said Muhammad.
Doing a complete 180 from one side of the ball to the other, Muhammad used his knowledge of the game from the perspective of a quarterback to his advantage.
"It helps me a lot being on defense," said Muhammad. Having previously played the position, he has the unique ability to really understand what the opposing quarterback is thinking.
Between a drastic position and university change, Muhammad had no choice but to adapt quickly and make an impact. He credits his versatility and ability to face adversity to his mom.
"It's almost like you have to see the light at the end of the tunnel," explained Muhammad. "It's not an if or a maybe. You have to make a way."
Muhammad's mom was the fuel that fed his fire.
"My mom is definitely somebody who is the epitome of sacrifice," said Muhammad. "We didn't have it all, but she made sure we always had what we needed to succeed in life."
Muhammad made a promise to his mom that he would play in the NFL.
"I've seen her go through a lot, so I just feel like I owe her that at least," he said.
In 2022, Muhammad announced his decision to transfer to USC and take his talents across the country to Los Angeles.
"Caleb is the defending Heisman Trophy winner, and he's going to have all eyes on him and the offense. That also means the defense is going to have eyes on it," said Muhammad. "So it was almost like another 'why not me' moment."
Muhammad is so strongly connected to this motto that he has it written on his cleats to remind himself.
Having transferred twice, the rush end has finally found his forever home at Troy.
"It's been good since I stepped on campus," said Muhammad confidently. "With everything that has fallen in line, it's almost scary at times how God works."
Muhammad played his first game in the Coliseum on Aug. 26 against San José State and experienced his first win as a Trojan, but that was just the beginning. The goals and aspirations are endless for the dynamic player. Muhammad is aspiring to win a national championship alongside his teammates as well as lead the country in sacks, fully embracing his journey as a defensive player.
Muhammad's dedication to making a difference is not limited to the field; he also wants to make an impact at home. Muhammad is currently working on developing a non-profit organization for underprivileged children to give back to communities in his home state of Alabama that lack resources and support.
"I definitely want to give back in some way, shape or form," said Muhammad.
His collegiate football odyssey began with a tragedy, but it has come full circle to expose him to opportunities he could have never even imagined.
"When I think about it," he said, "if I had never torn my ACL, I wouldn't even be here right now."
From watching his older brothers playing football in the yard, to becoming eligible to play contact football at age five, the sport had always been a constant in Muhammad's life.
Throughout his high school career, Muhammad was making strides being named an All-Region quarterback, while ringing in attention from colleges around the country. That is, until it all came crumbling down when Muhammad suffered an ACL tear two weeks before his junior season. According to Muhammad, it was a chronic tear that was already existing that had finally given out during one of his teams' final workouts.
"I got hurt and all my offers got clipped," said Muhammad. All but one of his collegiate offers were gone due to his injury, leaving him to start from square one.
At this pivotal time in his life, Muhammad found a way to use his injury as fuel for redemption.
"You can't ask, 'Why me?' Instead ask, 'Why not me?'" he said. "I feel that's why I'm relentless when it comes to anything. If I had to go back and change it, I probably wouldn't."
Muhammad committed to Vanderbilt as a quarterback, but after concluding spring ball, he transferred to Georgia State for the 2019 season.
After seeing a new opportunity for playing time due to existing personnel at Georgia State, Muhammad made a move that changed his game forever. The freshman changed positions from quarterback to outside linebacker.
"I always had an aggressive mindset at quarterback, but you have to totally switch all your gears when you move to that position," said Muhammad.
Doing a complete 180 from one side of the ball to the other, Muhammad used his knowledge of the game from the perspective of a quarterback to his advantage.
"It helps me a lot being on defense," said Muhammad. Having previously played the position, he has the unique ability to really understand what the opposing quarterback is thinking.
Between a drastic position and university change, Muhammad had no choice but to adapt quickly and make an impact. He credits his versatility and ability to face adversity to his mom.
"It's almost like you have to see the light at the end of the tunnel," explained Muhammad. "It's not an if or a maybe. You have to make a way."
Muhammad's mom was the fuel that fed his fire.
"My mom is definitely somebody who is the epitome of sacrifice," said Muhammad. "We didn't have it all, but she made sure we always had what we needed to succeed in life."
Muhammad made a promise to his mom that he would play in the NFL.
"I've seen her go through a lot, so I just feel like I owe her that at least," he said.
In 2022, Muhammad announced his decision to transfer to USC and take his talents across the country to Los Angeles.
"Caleb is the defending Heisman Trophy winner, and he's going to have all eyes on him and the offense. That also means the defense is going to have eyes on it," said Muhammad. "So it was almost like another 'why not me' moment."
Muhammad is so strongly connected to this motto that he has it written on his cleats to remind himself.
Having transferred twice, the rush end has finally found his forever home at Troy.
"It's been good since I stepped on campus," said Muhammad confidently. "With everything that has fallen in line, it's almost scary at times how God works."
Muhammad played his first game in the Coliseum on Aug. 26 against San José State and experienced his first win as a Trojan, but that was just the beginning. The goals and aspirations are endless for the dynamic player. Muhammad is aspiring to win a national championship alongside his teammates as well as lead the country in sacks, fully embracing his journey as a defensive player.
Muhammad's dedication to making a difference is not limited to the field; he also wants to make an impact at home. Muhammad is currently working on developing a non-profit organization for underprivileged children to give back to communities in his home state of Alabama that lack resources and support.
"I definitely want to give back in some way, shape or form," said Muhammad.
His collegiate football odyssey began with a tragedy, but it has come full circle to expose him to opportunities he could have never even imagined.
"When I think about it," he said, "if I had never torn my ACL, I wouldn't even be here right now."
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