Since Nick Saban announced his retirement as head coach of Alabama, college football has been a little chaotic. Now that Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer has taken the job in Tuscaloosa, will we see interest from Lane Kiffin from the flurry of Husky players potentially hitting the transfer portal?
With the departure of Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, it gives Husky players a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal. With already a handful of players deciding to explore their options, we will likely see more enter their names into the portal. Could Lane Kiffin have his eyes on the below players from Washington?
Jabbar Muhammed, CB
The highest-rated Washington player to have entered his name into the transfer portal is cornerback Jabbar Muhammed. After just one season with the Huskies, Muhammed will be looking for a new home in 2024.
Some were expecting Muhammed to enter the NFL Draft after a productive season with the Huskies, helping them to a 14-1 season. The Texas native earned All-Pac-12 Second Team honours and was the focal point in the Washington secondary.
The Junior CB will have many suitors for his services in 2024. With Kalen DeBoer now with Alabama, rumours will likely circle that he could end up in Tuscaloosa. However, it would not be wild to think Lane Kiffin would look to explore bringing Muhammed to Oxford.
Over his four seasons in college football, three of those with Oklahoma State, Muhammed has registered 118 tackles and four interceptions. Redshirting in his first season with the Cowboys, Muhammed would have one year of eligibility remaining.
Elishah Jackett, OT
Despite not entering the transfer portal yet, OT Elishah Jackett could be one of the players who will be pondering his future. Jackett is a 2023 recruit who committed to Washington after being heavily recruited by DeBoer and offensive line coach Scott Huff.
Jackett was a four-star top-25 offensive tackle, per 247 sports. The Rebels made his top 5 back in May, alongside Cal, A&M, UCLA and Washington.
If Jackett does enter the transfer portal, Ole Miss would be in a great position to make a push for the talented offensive lineman. With the program trending upwards, Jackett would likely have the Rebels on his list again. Having the chance to protect one of the more talented QBs in the league would also be a pulling point for Lane Kiffin to attract Elishah Jackett to Oxford.
Joshua Lair, DB
Another player yet to decide if his future lies elsewhere is 2024 recruit Joshua Lair. A three-star safety who signed his letter of intent at Washington in December, Lair posted an emoji of a broken heart after the news of DeBoer’s departure broke.
One of the best prospects out of Texas, Lair was recruited by Ole Miss, with the Rebels offering the 2024 safety recruit in February of 2023.
If Lair does open up his recruiting again, Ole Miss would likely be in for his services once more. A player like Lair would be a great addition to the future of Ole Miss. Could new defensive back coach Bryan Brown be a factor if the opportunity to recruit Lair becomes an option?
