NEW ORLEANS — When the Washington Huskies take the field in the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff semifinals on Monday night, starting cornerback Jabbar Muhammad will spot a familiar face on the Texas sideline.
His first cousin Malik, a native of DeSoto, Texas, was rated as a top-five cornerback in the country in the class of 2023 by 247 Sports and committed to coach Steve Sarkisian in July 2022.
Like his Seattle-based cousin, Malik has also been an impact player this season. The true freshman played in all 13 of Texas' games and contributed 28 tackles, an interception and a punt return for a touchdown.
Jabbar Muhammad, another product of DeSoto, transferred to Washington after three years at Oklahoma State, has been a vital addition to the defense this season and has played a key role in getting the Huskies to the CFP.
Yett they aren't the only members of the notably large Muhammad family to play defensive back at a high level.
Among Jabbar's relatives are his older brothers EJ and Khairi Muhammad, who played cornerback and safety at Nevada and North Texas, respectively, and his cousin A.J. Green, a cornerback with the Cleveland Browns.
Shockingly, not every member of his family plays defensive back. Muhammad also counts Texas freshman edge rusher Billy Walton III as a first cousin.
"I've got a huge family, humongous," Muhammad said. "I think I've got about 60 first cousins and they're all coming out here for the game. We'll see if we can get tickets for all of them."
As for his relationship with Malik, even though the two aren't talking as much as they used to when growing up, there's nothing but love between them.
"He used to cry when he couldn't spend the night over at my house, that's how close we are," Muhammad said. "Now we get to bump heads and I'm ready for it."
However, Malik Muhammad has grown up a lot since those childhood days and doesn't look like a first-year player, according to his cousin.
"He doesn't play like a freshman," Jabbar Muhammad said. "He's out there on the biggest stage on an island. He has a lot of confidence out there, he's playing fast and really doesn't look like a freshman."
When the Sugar Bowl kicks off, Jabbar Muhammad will look to continue his stellar season while his cousin could be forced to step into a more prominent in a short-handed Texas secondary.
The Longhorns will have to play the first half of the game without freshman safety Derek Williams, who was ejected on a targeting call during the Big 12 championship against Oklahoma State.
Clearly, talented defensive backs litter the Muhammad family and both of the ones here in New Orleans will have their hands full with two of the nation's best groups of pass-catchers with a trip to the national championship on the line.
More must-reads: